How to replace thermostat cartridge

[zack6600]

Hi Folks, Need your advice on how to access a thermostat cartridge to fix/replace. Please see pics below. I have manged to to get the main shower control cartridge out as it is leaking badly. But now need to sort the thermostat/mixer out now as very stiff and difficult to turn to cold. The problem is I can't work out how to get the chrome surround off, which I am assuming I need to do to access it. It is the bottom one in third picture. Could anyone please advise?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It undos / screws off/ friction fit with an oring

 

[SimonG]

Wrap a pair of rubber gloves around the chrome part and unscrew.

 

[zack6600]

It undos / screws off/ friction fit with an oring

Don you mean the decorative/brass collar? Can't get it to budge... 😳

 

[zack6600]

Wrap a pair of rubber gloves around the chrome part and unscrew.

Thanks, will give a go

 

[zack6600]

Thanks, will give a go

Can't get to budge an inch. Any other tips?

 

[zack6600]

Have got chrome collar off, but now can't work out what to do next.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Likely to need an adjustable spanner on the flat part of cartridge, or an open ended spanner if the correct size.

 

[zack6600]

Likely to need an adjustable spanner on the flat part of cartridge, or an open ended spanner if the correct size.

Yeah, have give it a go already and just can't shift it. Think it must have seized. Think I might have to replace the whole mixer system frustratingingly.

 

[Ric2013]

Second picture. Grub screw in the side needs removing before it will turn?

 

[zack6600]

Second picture. Grub screw in the side needs removing before it will turn?

Yeah, had already taken that out. I just can't get it to shift. Most annoying

 

[Ric2013]

Have you tried careful use of heat? Hot water, or, probably better, a flame.

 

[Timmy D]

Bigger spanner.

If using adjustable spanner, ensure a perfect fit to prevent rounding it off. Get a steel tube to put over spanner handle for more leverage.

I’ve never come across one that I’ve needed to heat or won’t eventually come out.

Show it who’s boss!

 

[Ric2013]

Sometimes the flat sections on the brass will round off even with a good spanner. In that case, a quality Stilson wrench may be usefully employed.

 

[Timmy D]

Sometimes the flat sections on the brass will round off even with a good spanner. In that case, a quality Stilson wrench may be usefully employed.

If you haven’t got a set of the Rothenberger R type wrenches, you’re missing out.

Once they’ve bit, they rarely slip. I’ve got them in 6”, 8” & 12”. The 6” ones are great because they close small enough for turning old seized stopcock/gate valve spindles.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

If you haven’t got a set of the Rothenberger R type wrenches, you’re missing out.

Once they’ve bit, they rarely slip. I’ve got them in 6”, 8” & 12”. The 6” ones are great because they close small enough for turning old seized stopcock/gate valve spindles.

View attachment 81854

Seem a similar design to Footprint wrench?

 

[Ric2013]

If you haven’t got a set of the Rothenberger R type wrenches, you’re missing out.

Once they’ve bit, they rarely slip. I’ve got them in 6”, 8” & 12”. The 6” ones are great because they close small enough for turning old seized stopcock/gate valve spindles.

Toolbox already overfilled. Actually considering removing the Footprint wrench: I put it in when I started out as it's a classic tool, but in reality I have yet to find a use for it that something else won't do better.

My UK-made Record leader wrench (found on a roundabout!) is amazing though.

 

[Timmy D]

Seem a similar design to Footprint wrench?

These are spring loaded, so easier to adjust, as it does it for you and the spring stops it slipping.

I’ve still got a pair of footies in the tool box.

 

[Timmy D]

Toolbox already overfilled. Actually considering removing the Footprint wrench: I put it in when I started out as it's a classic tool, but in reality I have yet to find a use for it that something else won't do better.

My UK-made Record leader wrench (found on a roundabout!) is amazing though.

Tbh, I might remove my footies, can’t remember the last time I used them....

I bought the wera joker self setting spanner, I thought if it could do both 15mm and 22mm compression nuts, it would be handy in tight spaces.

I emailed them to confirm the jaw could fit 22mm, they confirmed.

Bought it, some 22mm nuts don’t fit and its a pain in the bum to use.

Very disappointed, love all my other wera tools. Complete waste of money. Used it once and never again.

 

[Ric2013]

Tbh, I might remove my footies, can’t remember the last time I used them....

What were they originally designed for, I wonder.

 

[Timmy D]

What were they originally designed for, I wonder.

I’ve got some Sheffield originals passed down from my grandfather.

 

[Ric2013]

Tbh, I might remove my footies, can’t remember the last time I used them....

I bought the wera joker self setting spanner, I thought if it could do both 15mm and 22mm compression nuts, it would be handy in tight spaces.

I emailed them to confirm the jaw could fit 22mm, they confirmed.

Bought it, some 22mm nuts don’t fit and its a pain in the bum to use.

Very disappointed, love all my other wera tools. Complete waste of money. Used it once and never again.

Perhaps they thought the nut dimension was 22mm?

 

[king of pipes]

Ric had the advice needed the cartridge is held in with a grub screws in the valve body . Kop

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Ric had the advice needed the cartridge is held in with a grub screws in the valve body . Kop

Yeah, had already taken that out. I just can't get it to shift. Most annoying

🤷🏻‍♂️