How to change the head parts: the replacement of a mixer in the kitchen and bathroom

Head parts - one of the most important components of the crane. It is used in odnoventilnyh cranes designed only for cold oxen and the twin valve in the kitchen and in the bathroom. In case of failure it can be replaced with your own hands.

What is the head parts, its purpose

Since ancient times used a simple rotary valve. At first they were made of solid wood, in the Middle Ages moved the metal. They did not allow precise control of the flow of liquid. In fact, they had only two positions: open and closed.

At the end of the XVIII century English inventor Joseph Bramah invented and began producing screw tap. With it has become possible to produce the water jet a desired intensity by adjusting flow smoothly.

A century later, the great English scientist Lord Kelvin invented the mixer - a device with two valves, allowing to receive a stream of water required temperature and intensity.

Brahma Crane became the prototype of the modern crane. In order to improve production technology, and, more importantly, simplify the repair and maintenance of all the moving parts of the crane have been assembled into a single unit, which is called the head parts. All high-precision manufacturing operations, such as milling, turning, drilling - carried out over the details that make up kran- bush. They are made from more expensive and wear-resistant material than the cast aluminum alloy or steel valve body or the mixer, which provides additional cost savings and helps to reduce the price of the product.

Head parts - this is a common repair module. If necessary, it can be quickly removed from the mixer without disturbing its installation and sealing attachment to the mains hot and cold water. All the head parts of the same size are interchangeable, so replacement parts for all mixer is easy to find in stores.

Historically, that in the territory of CIS produce head parts with a square bracket at the flywheel. Imported operate is splined mount, and have 22 or 24 slots. These two types of journal boxes crane incompatible

At the end of the 20th century it was invented a new kind of crane buksy- ceramic.

Types of head parts, their structure and working principle

Modern locking modules for the twin valve is divided into two main types:

  • Worm with rubber gasket
  • Ceramic.

The principle of operation and the device are markedly different, but they can be installed in the same mixers, provided matching thread and landing sizes. the same mixers.

With a rubber cuff

This design - a direct heir of Brahma cock, uses the same principle.

Picture 1. The principle of operation of the worm axle box kran-

Inside the case is a worm gear, which converts the rotational motion of the flywheel into the linear motion rod. At the end of the rod is fixed laying of rubber. In the "closed" it abuts against the valve seat and blocks the flow of water. As the flywheel moves the rod up and gradually moves away from the seat liner, the lumen opening for water flow. When the spindle retracts completely into the screw mechanism, the lumen is fully open and water flow is maximized.

The figure shows the main components of the worm head parts imported standard:

  • Retaining bracket assembly retaining structure.
  • Housing. It is visible to the nut, for which the head parts twisting out of the socket, fine thread for fastening the protective cap, a rubber O-ring and a coarse thread for mounting in the housing mixer.
  • Worm rod stroke, which can be seen: a slot for mounting the flywheel, the sealing ring worm thread.
  • Piston. It is visible the internal thread of the worm gear, another O-ring, with the working attachment rubber gaskets, and finally working lining itself.
  • Nut gasket
Figure 2. The design of the worm sectional axlebox

In order to fully open the valve, turn the hand wheel from 2 to 4 times.

Gasket, which is pressed against the valve seat and rotated with friction on it, quickly wear out. It is easy to remove and replace, prolonging the lifetime of the device.

The advantages of the worm core are:

  • Cheapness.
  • Proven design for centuries.
  • Smooth flow regulation.
  • The gasket can be done independently from the materials at hand.
  • Wide use.

But there are some notable disadvantages:

  • Small shim life.
  • The need for frequent disassembly of the mixer to replace the pads.
  • To fully open the water you need to make a few turns.
  • High noise. Worn pads cause a buzz in the pipes.

Worm device gradually give way to a ceramic.

ceramic

Ceramic axle box design greatly simplified compared to the worm:

Figure 3. The design of the ceramic core

Main elements:

  • Skoba- lock
  • Housing with a sealing ring of the same size as the worm core.
  • Stem spline attachment to the flywheel and two seals. At the end of the rod is attached silencer. It provides low noise leakage flow through the valve.
  • Swivel upper ceramic plate. It has slits on the sides, through which enters the water from the mains, and one or two windows in the bottom.
  • The fixed lower ceramic plate. It has one or two windows coinciding in shape with the top plate.
  • Rubber ring, abuts against the seat of the mixer housing.
Figure 4. Ceramic head parts assembly

The operating principle of the ceramic axle box is much simpler than that of the worm. All moving parts dve- rotary shaft and the upper ceramic-metal plate. The ceramic plates very tight adjacent to each other due to their high quality processing surface.

When closed, the windows in the plates do not match and the lumen for the flow of water is not available. The pressure further urges the plate to each other, increasing the sealing.

By turning the hand wheel shaft and fixed to the movable plate therein also rotated. Windows on the plates start to be combined. After a full window of the flywheel turn coincide, giving a maximum flow of water.

Most models rod rotation is restricted. Recently, head parts without such a restriction longer produced. Rotating flywheel in the same way, you can first open, and then close the valve.

Silencer makes the water flow to enter in resonance oscillation with the conduit and provides a low noise operation of the device.

The sealing gasket prevents water leak valve mime. When installing it is important to measure to tighten the thread. On the one hand, the valve head parts must abut against the gasket securely in the seat, and on the other hand, excessive force can deform the casing and ruin the head parts. We need to pick up height a model that fits perfectly to your mixer.

Advantages of ceramic devices are as follows:

  • Long service life.
  • Half of the flywheel turn enough to fully open the valve.
  • Smooth running.
  • low noise

The disadvantages are usually related to:

  • High price.
  • High requirements for water quality. Require the installation of mechanical water purification filters.

The process of replacing crane axlebox.

Despite the differences in structure and many sizes to change the faulty kran- Bux, a sequence of actions carried out virtually identical.

Figure 5. Different device models

If you do not know exactly which model kran- axle box installed in the mixer, start the repair is better in the morning or in the afternoon in time to buy a new one before the stores close.

Procedure for replacing the following:

  • Turn off the water closest to the mixer valve. Shut should cold and hot water.
  • Open faucets and let the water remaining in the pipes drain into the sink.
  • Next, carefully lifting the colored plastic cap with a flywheel. It must hook with a sharp object. On some models it is attached not to the friction, and on the thread. In this case, it must be unscrewed.
  • Unscrewed the fixing bolt.
Figure 6. Securing the flywheel
  • Remove flywheel.
Figure 7. flywheel filmed
  • On some models of mixers protective cap can be mounted. It needs to be unscrewed by hand.
Figure 8. unscrewing of the cap
  • Opens nut head parts. Grab it suitable in size open-end or adjustable wrench and remove the core.
Figure 9. core twisting

Note: to twist anti-clockwise! The key need only loosen the thread, then twisting arms.

  • It is done.
Figure 10. dismantling completed

After replacing kran- axle box or repair the mixer assembly is done in reverse order.

Before the screw core, the threads need to wind several layers of tape FUM or sanitary thread.

Replacement of a faulty valve on the mixer-axlebox completed.

required tools

To change the head parts, you need:

  • Utility knife or scalpel.
  • Screwdriver Set.
  • Set carob keys. Instead, use a wrench of sufficient size.
  • Tape FUM or sanitary thread.

Not interfere as rags to wipe and inspect the valve seat, especially for a worm gear structure.

Expert advice and common mistakes

Experienced masters recommend

  • Before disassembly podstelit the sink or bath tissue sheet, plastic or cardboard. This will prevent small parts falling drove off the drain cover and protect against falling heavy tools.
  • The tests of the repaired crane is best done vdvoem- one valve opens, the second stands at the tap and watching. So you can cut off the water immediately if a leak is not resolved.
  • When using ceramic cores or cartridges is better to put in front of a kitchen tap or faucet in the bathroom cleaning mechanical filter. He will delay a lot of pollution and will extend the life of the crane to repair.
  • If the valve has broken and water gushes struey- must first close the valve or the riser, and only then start to deal with the cause.

The most common error when replacing the axle box is kran- attachment excessive force when loosening thread. If the nut is not idet- it must soak in vinegar for 10 minutes to several hours. Also helps WD-40 liquid.

When tightening the thread extra effort can also deform the ceramic journal box or even strip the threads. It will have to replace the whole faucet.