Tap repair #%#$

[c3n0byt3]

Anyone have experience with this ****er?

Can't get the handle off.
Have tried many tricks such as vinegar and leveraging while closing the tap but it won't budge.
Just finding out before buying a gear puller or something.

 

[saor]

Don't you remove that little top piece (with the grip around it) and gain access to a screw? Or is that the piece you can't remove?

 

[PhireSide]

Yes, those are kak. There is a screw underneath the Hot/Cold fitting that corrodes due to different metals used - I had to drill mine out and pop the tap off. Stupid bloody galvinic corrosion.

EDIT: The tap is just held on by some splines, so once the screw is out, you can just wedge a screwdriver between the tap valve housing and the handle and you should be able to wiggle it off. Apply liberal amounts of Q20 just to be safe.

 

[rh1]

Is it the exact tap? Not sure with this tap. Try to lift up the small disk with the name on it. The should be a small screw to loosen.

 

[c3n0byt3]

Yes. I have removed the top "label" part, and got the screw out.
The tap itself should then just come off by pulling. Of course it will require some effort, and I've done this before. But recently they just don't budge.
Online videos etc show some tricks but these are not working.
Final (I hope!) solution is this.

Something like that is available locally, but is about the price of a new tap.
However I have about three to repair.

edit: Although I see takealot has something that might work for cheap.

Takealot

Haven't had good experience with the quality on takealot recently though....

 

[HunterNW]

Anyone have experience with this ****er?

Can't get the handle off.
Have tried many tricks such as vinegar and leveraging while closing the tap but it won't budge.
Just finding out before buying a gear puller or something.

I use a piece of wood with a small hammer

 

[PhireSide]

A 50/50 mix of ATF and Brake Cleaner/Acetone makes a really, really good penetrating oil - might be a cheaper solution and see if soaking it with that works better than other penetrating oils?

 

[Tomtomtom]

edit: Although I see takealot has something that might work for cheap.

Takealot

Haven't had good experience with the quality on takealot recently though....

They have pullers for less than R 100 even

https://www.takealot.com/aca-gear-puller-2-leg-75mm/PLID71717344

Might still need a bit of a jig - some wood or something to prevent damage.

Not going to get a precision instrument but I think any puller will do the trick here. The force vectors on any other solution are just wrong.

 

[Drifter]

I use a piece of wood with a small hammer

This.

 

[Wide]

Yes. I have removed the top "label" part, and got the screw out.
The tap itself should then just come off by pulling. Of course it will require some effort, and I've done this before. But recently they just don't budge.
Online videos etc show some tricks but these are not working.
Final (I hope!) solution is this.

Something like that is available locally, but is about the price of a new tap.
However I have about three to repair.

edit: Although I see takealot has something that might work for cheap.

Takealot

Haven't had good experience with the quality on takealot recently though....

Limescale or galvanic corrosion ?

Limescale- soak & soften with vinegar/bicarb solution may work.
Galvanic- depending on the metals, can try heating it a bit with a blow torch etc. and then loosen Or try soaking in some cleaning ammonia (handy andy)

 

[ADzar]

I dont get why people use separate hot and cold taps in these days.

 

[c3n0byt3]

Thanks folks. Will try ammonia solution since vinegar definitely didn't work.
Can't fit a hammer in there as the tap is sticking straight out the wall.

With these gear puller type things hope it doesn't damage the screw area.

 

[c3n0byt3]

I dont get why people use separate hot and cold taps in these days.

Have no idea either.
Probably because mixers are/were more expensive.
Developers will try and find way to save a rand!

 

[bwana]

Can't fit a hammer in there as the tap is sticking straight out the wall.

Have you tried tapping it with a hammer anyway? Just to break loose any buildup.

 

[c3n0byt3]

Have you tried tapping it with a hammer anyway? Just to break loose any buildup.

Yes I did try tapping; being careful not to tap towards pushing it further in.
Didn't budge, nor did I find any residue or anything coming out.
That's with the bath tub tap. I think I'll try that with the sink since I have more space.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Put ya back into it man !!!