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bigounets · Aug 31, 2011, 10:11 AM

Hello all. I thought I posted this question earlier today, but I can't find it anywhere. (sorry if it's a repost)

My shower has been leaking for a while, and the water temperature has been slowly changing. I went to the hardware store where they told me I most likely had to change the Symmons spindle. I found out that the piston in the spindle was stuck. I followed all the directions to change the spindle and it worked like a charm... for two days. On the third day I took a shower and as I turned the handle I felt some unusual friction and wasn't able to turn off the water.
I took everything apart again, and put everything together like I had done the first time, to no avail. Did I break anything? Do I need to replace the cap assembly too?
Thank you in advance for your help.
:o)

massplumber2008 · Sep 1, 2011, 09:13 AM

Hi Bigounets

Not really much to these valves... the spindle (TA10), the seats (T1, T3) and the fiber washer (T11) and cap assembly (T12A)... see image.

If the shower valve worked for a couple of days and then went bum up then either something got into the valve body and caused issues with the spindle washers closing/chipping, the spindle is defective, or the seat(s) has chipped... that kind of stuff.

My first guess is that the T6 or T8 washers could have failed/chipped or become dislodged so check these first. Here, the washer retainer ring (T7) holding T8 could have come unscrewed... if loose tighten hard and that should fix the issue.

After that, I'd feel the seats and be sure they are smooth... if not, replace these using symmons seat replacement tools (T35A, T35B).

Purge the valve of debris by covering the valve body and having a friend pulse the water on for a second or two to clear the valve of any junk and then reinstall spindle to complete the job.

Good luck!

Mark

bigounets · Sep 1, 2011, 10:07 AM

Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for your quick response. Luckily I had a repair kit on hand, so I rebuilt the new spindle like you suggested. I tightened the screw real hard. But no luck. The seats seem fine too.
It's a plain mystery to me. Somehow I can't help thinking it's something so simple like I need to tighten the spindle to the cap so many turns, or something stupid like that.
Very frustrating.

massplumber2008 · Sep 1, 2011, 04:48 PM

I would suggest swapping the seats out, but you said the valve worked fine for a couple days after swapping in the new spindle,right?

Frustrating indeed!

Make sure you didn't double up on the T11 (fiber washer) under the cap... that could cause your issue, too.

Finally, putting aside that the valve worked, when swapping a symmons spindle it is almost always a good idea to swap out the seats as some of the older symmons valves have a slightly different tolerance for seating the new spindle, so consider that here as a last resort, OK?

Glad to discuss!

Mark

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 09:07 AM

Thank you Mark.
I'm just back from the hardware store with the new seats and the tools. It was a breeze to remove the cold seat. The hot seat is stuck. It might be the one that really needs to be replaced. Is it a good idea to spray it with some WD-40 to see if it will loosen up?

massplumber2008 · Sep 2, 2011, 09:13 AM

WD won't do much here as all is brass, you know?

Have you stripped the seat using the tool (does the tool just spin in the seat)? If not, put the tool into the hot seat and tap it in hard and then use a wrench on the tool to spin it... will either loosen the seat or strip it.

If it strips the seat then I've gottten creative a couple times and notched the seat using a file and then used chisels to get these out.

*Crossing fingers* for you...

Good luck!

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 09:15 AM

Not stripped yet, will try the tapping right now.

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 09:37 AM

The good news is that the tapping worked. I put the new seats in. The new spindle back on. But the problem is not fixed, the only improvement is that there is less water pressure, but I still can't turn the shower off, and when I'm turning the handle either direction there is no change in the water flow either. I've changed everything but the assembly cap. Should I do that next?

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 10:33 AM

Do all the parts need to be extra super tight? Do I need to ask my husband to tighten everything harder for me?

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 10:56 AM

So I decided to give it another try. I took out everything and put everything back on again, this time tightening the seats a little more. And lo and behold, it worked. I was able to shut the water off!! Yeah!! I'm so happy. It's a little hard, but I think it's because the washers and most of the other parts are new? Or should I try to tighten all the parts a little more again?

Mark, I wanted to thank you very much for all your help and support.
You're the best!
:o)

massplumber2008 · Sep 2, 2011, 02:39 PM

I'm just glad to hear you can finally shut all this down! Good news!

In terms of tightening, I'm going to bet that you have the seats tight enough and should be all set with any luck! Great job!

Me thinks the hubby should buy the beer tonight (or a nice dinner anyway)... you saved some big bucks doing this yourself!

Have a great night!

bigounets · Sep 2, 2011, 04:13 PM

LOL Mark, that's not going to happen! It's kind of an expected thing that I fix things around the house. Nothing special to celebrate. But I must say I'm pretty pleased with myself.
Thank you again for the help.

massplumber2008 · Sep 2, 2011, 04:23 PM

You did a great job! Pop back anytime you think we may be able to help. :)