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I have a Kohler faucet that controls the shower and the bathtub. It is a single control - pull for on and push for off. Turn to the left for hot and to the right for cold. It is a cartidge type faucet - I think. It was installed in the fall of 1979. It is leaking. I would like to fix it. My questions:

Do you think it is a cartridge type faucet?

How difficult is it to remove the cartridge?

How is the cartridge removed?

Do I have to remove the cartridge before I try to buy a replacement?

Are the kits available from Home Depot?

Submitted: 174 days and 2 hours ago.

Category: Home Improvement

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Posted by Rich 174 days and 2 hours ago.

Answer

Hello digjgable . I think that this is a cartridge type control .. to rebuild it you turn off the water supply, remove the handle by removing the center plastic piece, unscrew the screw in the center of the handle, slide the handle off, slide the shaft cover off, remove the retaining ring, NOTICE how the cartridge is in the handle so that you can replace in the same orientation ... slide the shaft or cartridge out of the faucet ,,, you can take it to the supply store and get a replacement , BUT usually you can replace the "O" rings and then reinstall the cartridge .. if the hot and cold are reversed , then you have the cartridge installed in the wrong orientation

Any questions, thoughts, please get back to me

Edited by Rich on 6/1/2009 at 2:16 PM

174 days and 1 hours ago.

Reply

Perhaps I can get by with an O ring. However, would you recommend replacing the cartridge as well - it is almost 30 years old?

Posted by Rich 174 days and 1 hours ago.

Answer

The O rings are about a buck ... so if you are close to the store I would try that first ... they are the part that usually gets the wear and they usually fault first ,.. there is nusually not much that goes wrong with the cartridge itself ..

174 days ago.

Reply

One more question. What about lubricant? Is it imporant to apply before putting the cartridge back? What kind would you recommend?

Accepted Answer

You can put a bit of silicone grease on the rings before you push it in , but it will not last long ,,, it will wash away very soon ... I just wet the rings with water so they slide in a little easier ..

Accepts:
Expert:	Rich
Pos. Feedback:	98.9 %
Answered:	6/2/2009

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Over 35 years construction and home maintenance experience

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Perhaps I can get by with an O ring. However, would you recommend replacing the cartridge as well - it is almost 30 years old?

Answer

The O rings are about a buck ... so if you are close to the store I would try that first ... they are the part that usually gets the wear and they usually fault first ,.. there is nusually not much that goes wrong with the cartridge itself ..

Reply

One more question. What about lubricant? Is it imporant to apply before putting the cartridge back? What kind would you recommend?

Accepted Answer

You can put a bit of silicone grease on the rings before you push it in , but it will not last long ,,, it will wash away very soon ... I just wet the rings with water so they slide in a little easier ..

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