Ancient Tap Conundrum

[dr_gn]

All, my mum’s bathroom has 1970’s taps, and one is leaking. I’ve replaced washers on these before, but it’s so long ago I can’t remember how I removed the valve from the main casting. The flats are behind a chrome ring which obviously makes it impossible to use a normal spanner:



So either the chrome ring comes off (I can’t get it off), or I need a very thin box spanner. I’ve tried filling the casting with plus gas and soaking it, but no luck.

Long shot, but has anyone fixed one of these taps before?

Thanks.

[zb]

Years since I did one of these too. Is it not just the head gear nut you have to loosen?

I used a big shifter, and it took brute force ignorance and a bit of heat from a blow torch. Using plusgas alone, you may have to leave overnight.

If that's not correct, is it perhaps a two spanner job? Going counter to each other?

[dr_gn]

zb said:

Years since I did one of these too. Is it not just the head gear nut you have to loosen?

I used a big shifter, and it took brute force ignorance and a bit of heat from a blow torch. Using plusgas alone, you may have to leave overnight.

If that's not correct, is it perhaps a two spanner job? Going counter to each other?

Hmm I thought that was the packing gland nut. Then again the shaft wobbles as if there’s no packing, yet it doesn’t leak there as far as I can tell.

ETA I can’t find a box spanner for the valve flats, and I’m reluctant to put grips on the plain shank that I can get to, for fear of squashing it.

Thanks.

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 5th September 19:00

[zb]

If it is (from memory) the whole head gear comes out as one, washer on the bottom of it (if there's anything left of it)

[zb]

YouTube to the rescue, see how this matches up.

[dr_gn]

Isn’t that just a standard rubber washer type tap?

My problem is getting access to the large valve nut - to unscrew it to get access to the plunger/washer.

Assuming the chrome ring that’s obscuring access to it isn’t removable (doesn’t seem to be) I’m stumped.

[zb]

See if I'm getting you correctly, are you thinking some thin box spanner down the red lines?

[8-P]

Reminds me of a cone spanner on a cup and cone bearing bike hub which would probably do the job if I understand your issue.

[Brinyan]

That is unusual. I would be inclined to use some stilsons on the circular part of the valve, that appears to sit above the chrome bezel part of the tap.
The top nut is the packing gland & undoing that won’t achieve anything.
If you find a box spanner or socket that fits between the chrome bezel & tap valve, that would be the best option.
Good luck.

[Gary C]

Replace tap

simple and wont need doing again for some time.

[IroningMan]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-box-spanner...

Might be up to it? I bought a set for something else, I forget what.

[dr_gn]

Thanks all. I’ve got some box spammers, but no idea where they are because I never use them

[119]

£16 for a new pair of basin taps from Screwfix.

[motco]

119 said:

£16 for a new pair of basin taps from Screwfix.

That might open a different can of worms and this time, on your knees and bent double in the dark under the basin.

[dr_gn]

motco said:

That might open a different can of worms and this time, on your knees and bent double in the dark under the basin.

Yes. Changing a washer isn’t an issue, and after all it’s been in use for 55 years, it’s just getting to the washer…

[dr_gn]

motco said:

That might open a different can of worms and this time, on your knees and bent double in the dark under the basin.

Yes. Changing a washer isn’t an issue, and after all it’s been in use for 55 years, it’s just getting to the washer…