Ball Valve Assembly

Ball Valve Assembly

Water supply valves must be shut off. Remove lime and calcium deposits prior to disassembly - see notes below. Use white vinegar or a commercially available product. Apply NSF-61 certified silicone (plumber's) grease to all rubber parts and threads, especially retaining cap threads, before reassembly.

Disassemble
  • Remove red/blue plug from face of lever handle.
  • Use 1/8” hex key to loosen set screw located in hole in face of lever handle.
  • Lift lever handle to remove.
  • Use spanner to unscrew and remove adjusting ring.
  • Unscrew chrome valve retaining cap by turning counter-clockwise. If pliers are required, pad the jaws to avoid damage to chrome finishes. IMPORTANT : If any significant amount of force is required, STOP! - lime or other mineral deposits from your water source have seized the threads. If you continue, the copper supply tube may be bent, broken or pulled from the solder joint - Damage is NOT covered under warranty. Wrap a cloth or paper towel around the base of the retaining cap. Pour white vinegar or a commercial lime remover into the area around the ball valve. Make sure it overflows and runs down the inside of the retaining cap into the threads. This is best done a day or two in advance of the repair. If force is still required use one of these methods: 1) have a helper beneath the sink to hold the valve body in place to prevent it from turning while you unscrew the retaining cap. 2) remove the faucet from the sink and soak the entire valve end of the faucet in white vinegar or a commercial lime remover. 3) cut a vertical slot in the side of the retaining cap from top to near bottom (stop short of cutting into the faucet cover). Cut through the cap but no deeper. Insert a screw driver in the slot and twist to break the threads free.
  • Lift ball valve by stem to remove ball valve, cam and valve seal.
  • Use a small tool to remove seats and springs - small screwdriver, tweezers, hook made from paper clip, etc.
Reassemble
  • Place tapered springs, large end first, into valve seat counter-bores.
  • Install valve seats over springs. You may need to use a small flat tipped screwdriver to press flared skirt of valve seat into counter-bore as you gently apply pressure to top of valve seat.
  • Install stainless steel ball valve in valve body. Stainless steel guide pin in valve body must engage slot in ball valve.
  • Install valve seal over ball valve. Press flared skirt of valve seal into valve body.
  • Install cam over valve seal. Align tab on cam with slot in valve body and press down firmly.
  • Put valve retaining cap in place.
  • Tilt rod on ball valve forward. Make certain tab on cam remains in slot.
  • Place one finger through valve retaining cap and press down firmly on cam.
  • Screw retaining cap clockwise while maintaining pressure on cam. Make certain tab on cam remains in slot.
  • Make certain valve retaining cap is fully seated - hand tight is sufficient.
  • Install adjusting ring in valve retaining cap. Turn adjusting ring clockwise using spanner. Stop when adjusting ring becomes snug – do NOT over tighten.
  • Pull ball valve stem forward to closed position.
  • Turn on water supply.
  • Check for water leak at top of ball valve and from end of spout.
  • If leak appears, use spanner to tighten adjusting ring – do NOT over tighten.
  • Allow a few minutes and recheck for water leak.
  • You need only tighten adjustment ring until leak stops. If you over tighten the adjustment ring the valve handle will be difficult to operate
  • Install valve handle.
  • Tighten set screw.
  • Insert red/blue plug.