Shower fixture

milesmason · 08-19-2005, 02:34 PM

My shower fixture isn't working. It will turn side to side to control h/c, but it won't pull out to turn water on/off. This is in a '71 overlander. How can I replace the faucet controller, and where are the replacements available?

Thanks,

Miles

MW64OVERLANDER · 08-19-2005, 03:36 PM

If is is a Moen faucet, and I suspect it is, you will need to replace or at least lubricate the cartridge. With the water pump off, remove the handle to expose the cartridge cover. It will be a chrome tube surrounding the cartridge itself. Grasp this with your hand and pull straight out on it to remove it. It is a press fit. You have now exposed the cartridge housing and retaining clip. The clip is located at the end of the stem housing closest to the handle. It is a "u" shaped clip with a small tab with a hole in it that points up. Using a screw driver or needle nose pliers, push up on the clip or pull up with the needle nose pliers to remove it. Now comes the fun part. The cartridge itself is a push fit into the stem housing. Grasp the end of the cartridge with a pair or pliers and pull it straight out of the stem housing. It is best to grasp the stem at the same place that the handle would attach and it can be a tight fit. Take the cartridge to your plumbing supply or hardware store and match it up. Moen made two or three different variations of that cartridge and you want to be sure you match it up. If you remove the handle and none of this seems familiar, you can ignore this post entirely.

milesmason · 08-19-2005, 03:39 PM

One more question... How in the world to you access the faucet to replace? I don't see any removable panels here. I was told by inland rv that it is a mohen faucet that can be purchased basically anywhere.

Miles

MW64OVERLANDER · 08-19-2005, 04:05 PM

You would have to be able to get to the back side of the wall the faucet is mounted on. This would involve a lot of work and really isn't necessary. The faucet body, which is the part you can't see, is just a piece of brass that accepts the cartridge. For all practical purposes, it will last indefinitely and the cartridge, has all the moving parts that wear out.

MW64OVERLANDER · 08-19-2005, 04:11 PM

PS: The new cartridge has two flats on the end where the handle fits back on. If upon reassembly, you find that the water is reversed and when you point the handle to the left toward hot, you have cold water and if you turn it to the right and you have hot water, simply remove the handle and turn the flats over 180 degrees. This will correct the problem and you don't even have to turn the water off to do it.

milesmason · 08-22-2005, 08:57 AM

Thanks for your help. You saved me a plumber bill. Boy was that key hard to get removed and re-installed. This A/S forum is an invaluable resource for a newbie.

Miles

Alden Miller · 08-22-2005, 10:13 AM

I just replaced the faucet valve in my shower. It can be done all from the inside of the trailer. It's a tight fit and requires some special words but it is possible.

This was my pennance for leaving a little water in the fittings when I winterized last year.

-Alden