Cartridge replacement

7 months ago

last modified: 7 months ago

We have a Kohler Essex bar faucet that is dripping. I've found the cartridges, apparently a common one for Kohler. From watching a replacement video, the cartridges should just unscrew with a 5/8" socket but we can't get them to budge. Another video suggested using an impact driver with a socket attachment. Before I try that, I want to verify that I am trying to remove them in the proper direction. Cold water clockwise and hot water counter clockwise. In other words, the opposite direction from how the water turns on. Can anyone verify for me?

Featured Answer

klem1

7 months ago

Have you read instructions included with new cartridges? I don't recommend novices use impact tools, high explosives nor flame throwers.

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Comments (11)

Cathi Thomas
Original Author
7 months ago
I haven't bought the cartridges yet, just read reviews one of which said to remove as I said in my question. It's a little Ryobi impact driver, not like a compressor driven type.
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Sigrid
7 months ago
You probably want a good wrench with some very thick rubber to protect the faucet from the teeth of the wrench.
clt3
7 months ago
Thanks, handle is already off. That was the easy part. I have the socket around the cartridge, but it won’t move.
klem1
7 months ago
Even using the Ryobi you need to be certain which is tighty and which is loosey or you might make things worse.
clt3
7 months ago
That’s exactly what I was asking. Someone in a review said that if it turns off counter clockwise, removal is clockwise. Just trying to verify.
Cathi Thomas
Original Author
7 months ago
OK, I chatted with Kohler. Apparently both sides remove counter clockwise.
klem1
7 months ago
Someone ? Yea, someone always has an answer but no one will back them up. If ? If the earth began rotating in the opposite direction the sun would rise in the West and set in the East.

Unless you are expecting someone that bought and changed identical cartridges last week, I can tell you that I've changed hundreds of cartridges, washers and seats but never found any with left-hand threads. One tip I can offer is to move handle to half on position before wrenching on it. Reason being that internal threads between stem and cap can prevent cap from turning.

If I was in your shoes I'd forget about interweb chat and order the cartridges. When cartridges arrive sit down and carefully read instructions then proceed from there.
Stax
7 months ago
And yet you answered earlier, " Even using the Ryobi you need to be certain which is tighty and which is loosey or you might make things worse."
klem1
7 months ago
@ Stax , Will you please expand ? Thankfully Kohler came to Cathi"s rescue but if you see a problem with what I've said I should be aware for the future.
Stax
7 months ago
Now you're just being obtuse!

First you said, " Even using the Ryobi you need to be certain which is tighty and which is loosey ..."

And next post you said, " I can tell you that I've changed hundreds of cartridges, washers and seats but never found any with left-hand threads."