GE Water Softner GXSF39E Leaking at Inlet Tube

[gciccol]

I have a 11 year old GE whole house water softener model GXSF39E. The unit is dripping water from the Inlet tube. I installed new O-Rings and Clips on both the inlet and outlet tubes yet it still leaks. I used GE parts for both items ( ws03x10025, ws60x10004).

As it still leaked after I put it back together a second time with new o-rings, I also tried adding PVC Joint Compound along with the O-Rings trying to stop the drip but that did not work either.

I'm hoping someone knows a magic trick I'm not doing correctly when reconnecting the unit. I made sure both clips are properly seeded. It looks to me like there should be some type of washer on the inside of the inlet tube on the unit that the Bypass assembly slides into. Otherwise, it's just the plastic tube sliding into another plastic tube.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. I've taken this thing apart 4 times now and it's getting pretty tiring. Thanks