Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir A2 stainless steel pan head Pozidriv screw VP TCL POZI 4×12 - W1025A

Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir A2 stainless steel pan head Pozidriv screw VP TCL POZI 4×12

This is the genuine Zodiac replacement pan head (TCL) Pozidriv machine screw in A2 stainless steel, measuring 4 mm in diameter by 12 mm in length. Listed as item 4 on the official Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir (W9300) exploded parts diagram, it is a structural fastener used to secure internal assemblies within the robot body during servicing or reassembly.

Screw type and drive system

The VP TCL POZI designation identifies this as a pan head (tête cylindrique large) machine screw with a Pozidriv recess. The Pozidriv drive form delivers significantly more torque transfer than a standard Phillips cross-head, reducing cam-out risk during both tightening and removal — a real advantage when working in the confined shell of a pool robot. The DIN 7985 / ISO 7045 pan head profile sits flush and neat against plastic mouldings without biting into the material.

A2 stainless steel grade

A2 austenitic stainless steel offers reliable corrosion resistance in the permanently wet, chlorinated and salt-water environments that pool robots operate in. Unlike zinc-plated or black-oxide fasteners, A2 will not rust, seize or stain the surrounding plastic housings, making future disassembly straightforward.

Model compatibility

This screw is the correct OEM fastener for the Zodiac Vortex 3 Saphir (model W9300) and is also cross-referenced to the Vortex 4 and the Cybernaut NT platform. Always verify against your robot’s exploded parts diagram before ordering; the 4×12 mm specification must not be confused with the longer 4×25 mm variant (also listed on the Vortex 3 Saphir BOM) used elsewhere in the same assembly.

When to replace

Replace this screw if the head is rounded or corroded, if the thread is stripped in the boss, or whenever a screw is lost during routine maintenance of the drive unit, motor block cover, or chassis panels. Because the screw is sold individually, it is good practice to replace all fasteners in a given sub-assembly at the same time to maintain uniform clamping force.

Why genuine parts matter

Genuine Zodiac hardware is dimensioned and heat-treated to match the plastic bosses in the robot casing. Aftermarket substitutes of nominally the same size can have subtly different thread pitch or head geometry, leading to cross-threading, cracked bosses or inadequate sealing between body panels — faults that can allow water ingress into drive cavities. Fitting a genuine Zodiac screw ensures the assembly torques correctly and maintains the manufacturer’s structural integrity.