Rear bath shower valve repair

[AustinAir]

Can some one tell me how I can access the space behind the shower valve in my 73 31 fr rear bath AS? Do I have to remove the Fiberglas panel above it? There is access to the sink valves through the opening at the rear of AS for freshwater hose and dump valves but no way to get to valve for shower. Thanks in advance for any help!

[Aage]

Take out the trim in the aluminum strips, drill and remove all the rivets you just displayed, then start looking to screws that hold the rest of it together.

Oh, of course, you need to remove the plastic head of the tap. The trim in its middle hides the attachment screw.

[kokopat]

I don't know if its like the one in my '68 - pull on - left hot right cold mixer valve but the guts of it come out the front. Take the knob off and there is a little keeper that will let the inside come straight out the front. I found a replacement in a local hardware store ~$17.00. Good luck.
Pat

[Mikethefixit]

If yours have a cabinet in the corner ,Just take out the shelfs and it should give you access,my 77 was fairly easy

[AustinAir]

Thanks for the help no cabinets so I think I will have to drill the rivets and remove panel.
Here are some pics. Sorry for the delay in answering I am in CO mountains with no Internet till today.

[awryawry]

This is a Moen shower valve and is repairable from the front.
Slide the chrome sleeve off of the valve assembly.
Water off.
Pry the horseshoe-shaped cartidge retainer straight up. (Don't lose it!)
Remove the old cartridge by pulling straight out. It can be balky. May need a locking plier on the stem. Ensure cylinder bore is smooth -- may need light polishing with fine emory cloth. Inspect for particles or line trash.
Any hdwe store will have a replacement cartridge. Suggest liberal lubrication with Sexhauer grease or other silicone-based lubricant.
Follow install instructions to ensure proper orientation, or your hot and cold will be reversed. Slide new cartridge into bore fully and re-install retaining clip.
Turn on water and test. If h+c reversed, rotate cartridge 180 degrees.
Now re-assemble trim and knob assembly.
Piece o' cake.

wry

[Aage]

Moen has a lifetime guarantee, so if you are lucky, you might get the repair kit for free. At the local Home Depot, a very kind and knowledgeable 'associate' opened a drawer and just gave me one.

The kit is comprised of a new core for the the tap, a small amount of silicon grease, a little plastic tool which allowed turning the old core to loosen it up, and some good instructions.

As mentioned in the post above, it was very difficult to get the old core out, so we called the 800 number in the instructions. A very helpful operator walked us through it, and added that a toothbrush and vinegar would do a good job of cleaning out the barrel of the tap once we had the old core out.

She also suggested that we let some water run with no core in to ensure that no junk would get left in the tap body.

Ours was a tough job, but between help we got here and from the Moen help line, it all ended well.

[AustinAir]

Awesome thanks to all that offered help!

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by Aage

Moen has a lifetime guarantee, so if you are lucky, you might get the repair kit for free. At the local Home Depot, a very kind and knowledgeable 'associate' opened a drawer and just gave me one.

Moen has different size cartridges - the differences are not always apparent. So make sure you bring the old one with you when you go for the replacement. The replacement one I got for my home shower came well greased.

[Aage]

You're right - now that you mention that, I had taken a photo with an electronic camera. Brought the camera, showed it to him, THEN he reached into the drawer.

Thanks for bringing that important point up!

[AustinAir]

Thanks to everyone for the help!

Air forums members are the best!
AndyO

[GypsyKarma]

I have to do this tonight. AustinAir would you be willing to talk to me about how yours went? also, I don't have whatever that third knob is on the upper right. Is that an actual water control knob, or what?

[nickclifford]

Originally Posted by GypsyKarma

I have to do this tonight. AustinAir would you be willing to talk to me about how yours went? also, I don't have whatever that third knob is on the upper right. Is that an actual water control knob, or what?

I had a similar situation ... my RV shop actually told me not repairable and i had to pull out much of the bathroom to get at it, i was so upset at the time as i had just purchased the trailer. Almost did it, but curiosity sent me to my local plumbing supply shop and gave me the parts to fix. it's a very very basic plumbing job, gotta be dozens of youtube videos.
I'm not expert and managed myself , was so thrilled and relieved after.
by all means call me if you'd like 831-246-2760

[GypsyKarma]

Thank you! I think I figured it out. Replaced the cartridge that the guy at lowes said wouldn't fit. *eyeroll* I did buy the core puller tool to use with it which was helpful. Everything seems to be working fine!