Kitchen faucet repair

Nowadays it is difficult to imagine a kitchen sink without a convenient, modern faucet. This device allows you to adjust the temperature of the water in the tap to the desired value.
Although lever-type faucets are becoming popular, many people use wing-type faucets or handwheels, which have threaded faucet axle boxes and rubber round gaskets.
Kitchen faucet repair

Such mixers are simpler in design than the first ones, which makes their repair and maintenance possible for an untrained person.
It is this kind of mixer that will be discussed in this article, namely, how to repair it.
There is probably no person who is not irritated by the constant dripping of water from the tap, and no matter how much he turns the valve, nothing changes.
Kitchen faucet repair

In this state of affairs, replacing the crane axle box or rubber gasket cannot be avoided. And it’s absolutely possible to do it yourself, although you might think that you can’t do it without a specialist.

DIY kitchen faucet repair


So, you should start by removing the decorative plug. A small straight-tip screwdriver will help with this.
We insert the tip of the screwdriver between the flywheel housing and the plug.
We pry it up and remove it.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Under the decorative trim there is a screw for fastening the “wing” to the rotating rod of the crane axle box.
We unscrew this screw, first with a screwdriver, and when it loosens, you can use your hand.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Next, remove the plastic part of the flywheel housing and set it aside.
Kitchen faucet repair

In addition to the screw, the flywheel is held in place by longitudinal slots or splines on it and on the head of the faucet box, mounted on top of each other. This prevents the flywheel from slipping or turning during rotation.
Kitchen faucet repair

Over time, this connection can oxidize, and the two parts seem to “stick” to each other. Therefore, it is not always possible to separate them by hand.
In such cases, one or two screwdrivers will help, which can be used as a puller.
Kitchen faucet repair

To do this, insert a screwdriver between the flywheel and the mixer body.
Kitchen faucet repair

Next, we are slowly trying to separate them. If we see that one screwdriver does not give the desired result and the edges of the flywheel begin to break, we use two screwdrivers at the same time, only from different sides.
This will prevent the flywheel from skewing to one side, which will be more effective when removing old connections.
In our case, we got by with one screwdriver. The flywheel has “broken off” and further dismantling can be done with one hand.
Kitchen faucet repair

Now, the handle has been safely removed, now all that remains is to unscrew the valve axle.
Kitchen faucet repair

The 17 key will help with this.
Kitchen faucet repair

It is possible that the size of the key may differ depending on the design of the mixer, but this is the key that is usually used.
We place the key on the body of the valve axle box and slowly unscrew it counterclockwise.
Kitchen faucet repair

Usually, there should be no problems with removing this part.
Here is the photo of the removed part.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

It can be seen that it has a slightly rusty coating.But it’s not scary, the part itself is made of brass, so you can simply wipe off the rust with a dry cloth.
In the next photo, the seat of the crane axle box. The plane in depth should be as flat as possible. The tightness of the gasket and, as a result, water constipation depends on this.
Kitchen faucet repair

After removing the faucet box, it is advisable to clean this surface with at least your little finger, because pieces of the old gasket or flakes of rust may remain on it.
After cleaning, you need to turn on the water for a second so that its pressure washes this dirt out.
Now let's return to the crane box. If it is really bad, you can buy a new one, already with a gasket. But it will be cheaper to replace only the gasket.
Moreover, crane axle boxes made in the USSR may not be found. They are distinguished from more modern ones by different splines for the flywheel.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

You will have to buy a set, a flywheel along with a crane axle box, but this will be a little more expensive and both valves will have to be replaced.
Therefore, replacing the gasket will be easier and cheaper.
To remove the gasket, you need to unscrew the screw that secures it. Regular pliers will help with this.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Separately, finding the gasket turned out to be problematic. In return, the sellers offered a set for different occasions. This set included five spacers in the correct size.
Kitchen faucet repair

Moreover, the price of the entire set was less than 0.5 US dollars.
The remaining gaskets may also come in handy over time.
So, we remove one of the gaskets and try to insert it into the seat of the faucet axle box. This may seem tricky since the gasket initially looks larger than this area. But as soon as she comes in, everything will be as it should.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

It is also very important to clean the screw hole in it. The fact is that this hole in the gasket is not quite ready. That is, there is a hole, but it is not through.It is slightly filled with rubber, which will not allow the fastening nut to be threaded through it.
Therefore, before installing the gasket, its internal hole must be milled using small scissors, for example.
Take one of their cutting parts and insert it into the gasket hole. Next, remove excess rubber using circular movements. But you have to be very careful not to make a cut inside the hole. This will destroy the gasket when it is clamped with the screw.
So, the hole is prepared, the gasket is inserted, now you can tighten it with a screw. This also needs to be done with feeling.
Kitchen faucet repair

We tighten the valve axle box, first by hand, and then press it with a key, clockwise.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

Before installing the flywheel, it should be cleaned of oxidation and dirt.
Kitchen faucet repair

Now, matching the slots between the two parts, we connect them.
Kitchen faucet repair

There is no need to press the flywheel with a hammer, just one hand is enough and it will easily “sit” in place.
After installing the flywheel, put on the plastic bushing.
Kitchen faucet repair

Next, tighten it with a screw.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

And finally, we insert a decorative plug. It should also be cleaned before installation.
Kitchen faucet repair

Kitchen faucet repair

When everything is ready for testing, turn on the corresponding inlet valve and check the operation of the mixer in the open and closed positions.
Kitchen faucet repair

Since the gasket is new, you should not clamp it too hard, just a little force is enough to prevent water from dripping out. You just need to wait a little for it to drain.
Kitchen faucet repair

The renovation was successful and for little money. Now there is no water dripping, and there are plenty of gaskets left for further repairs.
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Comments (2)
  1. Guest Igor
    #1 Guest Igor Guests 19 September 2018 13:34
    0
    I have never seen mixers in such poor condition in my life. The author clearly found it somewhere in a landfill. But in real life this does not happen. Changing gaskets is not difficult. The next stage begins when the threads on the central rod are cut. I'm not a plumber, so I don't know what this is called correctly. This happens approximately once every 5-7 years.
    And here the most radical repair is the replacement of the crane axle box. You unscrew it and go to the nearest plumbing store to select a new faucet axle box that is exactly the length and diameter.
  2. Igor
    #2 Igor Guests December 9, 2020 02:48
    2
    What is this “piggy” at the bottom front, in the middle of the mixer body, why does it unscrew and what is its role, I can’t find the answer anywhere.