TS7 - Valve Stem Assembly

TS7 - Valve stem assembly

Water supply MUST be shut off. Remove lime and other deposits prior to disassembly. Use white vinegar or a commercially available product. Lubricate all O-rings and threads with NSF-61 certified silicone (plumber's) grease before reassembly.

K0858 Torque-free Valve Stem will fit M87 only after original valve stems have been replaced with K1078 hot water valve stem and K1079 cold water valve stem. For models older than M87 see Older Model Instructions 

The following instructions are for hot side. Cold side instructions are in parenthesis ( )

Disassemble

  • Close hot water (cold water) supply valve.
  • Remove screw from handle.
  • Remove handle.

In the next steps, if the retaining ring and/or the retaining cap have a build up of lime or other deposits in the threads, do not exert undue force for risk of damaging the faucet. Roll a paper towel, wrap it around the ring or cap, hold the towel in place with a rubber band, saturate the towel with white vinegar or a commercially available product. Keep the towel saturated until the deposits are dissolved and can be removed.

  • Remove cover retaining ring.
  • Remove valve stem retaining cap.
  • Remove valve stem assembly from faucet.
  • Further disassemble valve stem assembly as needed to accommodate the parts you are replacing.

Reassemble

  • Screw stem into bushing, hold red bushing (blue for cold) turn stem counter-clockwise (clockwise for cold) until seated.
  • Snap torque-free valve stem end assembly onto stem.
  • Align tabs on bushing with slots in valve body, seat bushing fully into valve body - bushing MUST be fully seated in valve body.
  • Install valve stem retaining cap. Snug with pliers to make sure the cap is fully seated - do not over tighten, this is not a pipe thread.
  • Install cover retaining ring - hand tighten only.

Replace Handles

  • These instructions are for the hot side. Cold side instructions are in parenthesis ( )
  • With the lever at the 6:00 o’clock position, push the handle straight onto the stem.
  • Rotate the handle counter-clockwise (clockwise for cold) until water flows.
  • Slowly rotate the handle clockwise (counter-clockwise for cold) until the water just stops flowing - do NOT over tighten.
  • Without rotating the handle, pull the handle straight off the stem.
  • While the handle is still pulled off, rotate the handle to place the lever in the 9 o'clock position (3 o'clock for cold)
  • Push the handle straight onto the stem to fully engage the spline.
  • Replace the screw.
  • If water drips from spout, see Adjust Handles procedure.

Adjust Handles

  • These instructions are for the hot side. Cold side instructions are in parenthesis ( )
  • Check the temperature of the water that is dripping from the spout to determine whether it is the hot or cold handle that needs adjusted.
  • Remove the screw from the handle.
  • Turn the handle clockwise to the 9:00 o'clock closed position (counter-clockwise to 3 o'clock for cold)
  • Without rotating the handle, pull the handle straight off the stem.
  • While the handle is still pulled off, rotate the handle counter-clockwise one notch (clockwise for cold) - one notch only. Do NOT over tighten.
  • Push the handle straight onto the stem to fully engage the spline.
  • Turn the handle clockwise to the closed position (counter-clockwise for cold)
  • Reinstall the screw.

If the drip has slowed but not stopped, repeat the procedure or check to see if it is the other side that is causing the drip.

Follow this procedure anytime in the future that a drip from the spout develops.  Being careful to NOT over tighten the stems will greatly extend the life of the bibb washers.