--- title: The NEO Flex portafilter and cylinder are separating. description: The NEO Flex portafilter and cylinder are separating. --- [![company logo](https://support.flairespresso.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png?height=120&name=flair_espresso_logo_2018-2.png)](https://flairespresso.com) [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) FAQs - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) [Back to home](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 1. [Flair Help Center](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge) 2. [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) 3. FAQs - [Account Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information) - [Account and Purchase History](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#account-and-purchase-history) - [Managing Payments and Billing](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#managing-payments-and-billing) - [Processing and Shipping Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#processing-and-shipping-information) - [Promotions](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/account-information#promotions) - [Returns and Warranty](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty) - [Return Information](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#return-information) - [Warranty Policy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/returns-and-warranty#warranty-policy) - [Partners and Collaborators](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/partners-and-collaborators) - [Before You Buy](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy) - [Espresso 101](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#espresso-101) - [Flair FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/before-you-buy#flair-faqs) - [The Flair 58 Family](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#recommendations) - [The Flair 58+](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-flair-58-family#the-flair-58) - [The PRO2](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-pro2#recommendations) - [The Classic](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-classic#recommendations) - [The NEO Flex](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo-flex#recommendations) - [The Royal Grinder](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-royal-grinder#faqs) - [The Signature](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#faqs) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-signature#recommendations) - [The NEO](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo) - [Getting Started](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#getting-started) - [FAQs](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#faqs) - [Flow Control Portafilter](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#flow-control-portafilter) - [Recommendations](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/the-neo#recommendations) # The NEO Flex portafilter and cylinder are separating. Note that unless you are seeing a clear water leak between the cylinder and portafilter, the o-ring is doing its job and does not require replacement. Instead, this separation is more likely related to your actual brew process. Due to the minimalistic design of standard Flairs, there is no locking mechanism between the portafilter and cylinder. As such, they will separate/pull-apart if given the opportunity. During brewing, the act of applying that downward force will hold them together, but afterwards (or during, if you've suddenly let up on the lever), any pressure remaining in the brew head will force them apart in an effort to escape. At the end of your pull, just make sure you are holding down the lever until pressure has naturally dissipated and are expelling all brew water, then slowly raise the lever to terminate and avoid that rebound affect. Even if they do slightly separate, there is a designed, extended lip to prevent full separation. On the NEO, note that a too fine grind size or the presence of a clog may be exacerbating this attempted separation, as the pressure being built within the brew head will be very high.  flairespresso.com Help Center - [Go to flairespresso.com](https://flairespresso.com) - [Contact us](https://support.flairespresso.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new)