Andy,

I've never done what you're proposing and don't know but I think that
the regeneration process has fast flushing which does what you're proposing,
so I wouldn't open up the tank. I think the resin does fail with age but
I've not experienced this as a home owner. My first water softener lasted
about 20 yrs before it began suffering from a lot of breakdowns and was
replaced. My second softener (very similar to yours) has lasted 5 yrs so
far. I clean the venturi annually and disassemble the rotor/valve for
cleaning every 2 yrs. Had to replace the rotor seal last time but I'm on a
well.

Dave M.