Bathroom Faucet Fix or Replace?

[Elisa]

I have a leak coming from the cold water stem in my rear bathroom. Is there a tool that will remove the stem or should I do something else? You KNOW that once any of this is played with there's no going back. None of it has ever been touched. I am worried about the plastic of the sink, the faucet itself - which I'd love to replace, etc.


I searched the forums and can't find anything specific. Not touching it till I get some advice - thank you.


Elisa -1977 Argosy 24 MH

[chevy2man]

If its like every other older faucet, you should be able to replace washers and stem packing. you may have to hunt around a few different hardware stores to find the right ones. If you not comfortable doing it then find a plumber or someone who is.

[TG Twinkie]

A pic of the faucet with the handle removed would help.
You may have better luck finding parts at a heating and plumbing store. Rather than a hardware store.

[Elisa]

Originally Posted by chevy2man

If its like every other older faucet, you should be able to replace washers and stem packing. you may have to hunt around a few different hardware stores to find the right ones. If you not comfortable doing it then find a plumber or someone who is.

The big question is what tool gets the stem out?

[A W Warn]

Elisa,
Before you get any meaningful advice, you must identify the faucet. Brand, single lever or two knob, etc? Otherwise, advice is generic, just a guess. There are too many variables.

A photo will tell all.

For some single lever faucets, it could be all you need is an allen wrench, an adjustable wrench, and a screwdriver.
There are special puller tools for cartridges in some single lever faucets of some brands, but not needed for others.
If it is a two knob faucet, simple hand tools may be all that is needed to change a washer.

If your Argy still has the original copper, changing the faucet might require sweating new joints (torch and solder).

ps:
IMO;
If the faucet is the original, my choice would be a new replacement faucet.

[A W Warn]

There are some photos of the original faucets in 1970's Argosy trailers (no motor homes) here>
http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...y-20-minuet-2/
^^ is it like this ^^

or

is it like this?>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueGHUue-px8

or this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEfhPIeOG74

[Elisa]

Here it is.

[Elisa]

Old and leaky

[TG Twinkie]

First. Cover the drain hole.
Start by prying the center piece out of each faucet handle. The part with the letter H and C.
Make sure the faucet is open at least half way.
Remove the screw which holds the handle to the faucet stem. Look inside the hole where you removed the center piece you will find the screw.
Pull the handle staight up off of the fluted stem.
There will be a hex nut holding the cartridge in place. Unscrew said nut.
KEEP TRACK OF WHICH IS HOT AND WHICH IS COLD. BECAUSE IN MOST CASES THEY TURN IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS TO OPEN.
As mentioned above. You may have better luck finding replacements at a plumbing store as opposed to a hardware store.
I believe both hot and cold hex nut cartridges are right hand thread to remove the cartridge. But can't recall at this moment.
MAKE SURE WITH THE NEW CARTRIDGE THAT THE VALVE IS OPEN BEFORE SCREWING IT INTO THE VALVE BODY. OTHERWISE YOU MAY DAMAGE THE NEW CARTRIDGE WHEN TIGHTENING THE HEX NUT.

[Elisa]

Going to go take another photo. There are no hex nuts...

[Lumatic]

Best option for this faucet is to replace, Given that, it is something of a bear. You will probably need a special faucet wrench. You will be laying down on your back, in limited space, to unscrew the water lines, drain and nuts that hold the faucet to the counter.

[Elisa]

As you can see, no hex.

[AlinCal]

How about putting a wrench on those two flat spots? It will unthread

[TG Twinkie]

Yes! Use a wrench on the flat spots. That is why they are there.
Don't forget to open the faucets first.
The sink faucet will give you the experience you need to tackle the shower faucet when the time comes.
While the sink faucet is relatively easy to replace. The shower faucet is a whole different story when it comes to replacing the entire faucet assembly.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Elisa

As you can see, no hex.

Use an adjustable wrench to turn the nut with the flat spots.
Take the old one with so you can match it when you to get a replacement. You can get these at the big box building supply, a plumbing supply, or a good hardware. The new assembly will most likely have a hex nut in place of the two flat spots.

Or, as someone mentioned earlier the whole assembly may be rebuilt (new washers and packing)

Pay attention to the way the knob turns. If the knobs turn in opposite directions then there is a different part number for both left (hot) and right (cold)

[Elisa]

The "flat spots" are not raised; that whole assembly is down inside the surrounding round piece, below the rim of the surrounding round piece. No wrench is fitting in there.


I am ready to cut the whole sink out and put a new one in, if I can't get this out without damaging the existing sink. Overkill, I know. Grrrr...

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by Elisa

The "flat spots" are not raised; that whole assembly is down inside the surrounding round piece, below the rim of the surrounding round piece. No wrench is fitting in there.


I am ready to cut the whole sink out and put a new one in, if I can't get this out without damaging the existing sink. Overkill, I know. Grrrr...

Take a combination wrench in which the open end fits the flat spots.
Stand the wrech on its end with the open end stratling the flats.
Use a screw driver in the box end of the wrench as a lever to turn the wrench.

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by Elisa

The "flat spots" are not raised; that whole assembly is down inside the surrounding round piece, below the rim of the surrounding round piece. No wrench is fitting in there.


I am ready to cut the whole sink out and put a new one in, if I can't get this out without damaging the existing sink. Overkill, I know. Grrrr...

Look close, that round piece may be just a trim ring that threads over the stem, channel locks with slight pressure may work.

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by AlinCal

Look close, that round piece may be just a trim ring that threads over the stem, channel locks with slight pressure may work.

I think AlinCal may be right.
The ring probably unscrews.

[TG Twinkie]

Originally Posted by TG Twinkie

I think AlinCal may be right.
The ring probably unscrews.

They may just pop out like the C and H buttons.