I am trying to fix a leaky faucet in my new house and cannot figure out how to remove the faucet handle to get at the o-ring and cartridge. Does anyone know how to remove this type? I have linked to photos of the faucet below:

imgur: the simple image sharer
imgur: the simple image sharer

Thanks
Scott

Hello Scott,

If I am not mistaken, entire trim (the cone-shaped escutcheon) unscrews. It is hand tightened. Grab it by its base ( as close to the bottom as you can ) and start turning it CCW. Entire trim will come off, including handle. It may require some effort so be patient with it. See if that will do it.

Back to you

Milo

I agree with Milo turn the cone-shaped escutcheon to the direction of the arrow (CCW) and you get to the cartridge, see the image below, Thanks.

John

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I tried as hard has I could with my hands but could not unscrew the escutcheon. I looked at that spot on the handle and could not find any screws. Below is a picture of the faucet from underneath, should I remove that nut? Sorry it is a bit blurry.

http://imgur.com/QkEHitW

It has to unscrew from top. Unscrewing it from the bottom will not give you access to the cartridge. Even if you unscrew it from the bottom, you still have to remove the cylindrical piece of trim and handle to get to the cartridge. I think it is all one piece. Try again. It is always hard to take off as the trim sits there untouched for long period of times.

Aaaaaaaa

I placed a leather strap around the lowest part of the escutcheon that I could and used a long pair of pump pliers to grip and try to unscrew it. Still no luck. I loaded a picture below of what I have been trying. I also tried to remove the handle with the strap and pliers with no luck.

imgur: the simple image sharer

Do you have any idea of the brand of the faucet. Kind da looks like a Kohler to me but I don't know.
Obviously I disagree with Milo and John (afroo) about the handle and escutcheon turning to remove.

The handle is attach to the stem. For the handle to turn and unscrew the stem would have to also turn. Since there are stops on how far the stem can turn, the handle can turn and unscrew.

Try pulling straight up on the handle, maybe it is just a compression fit on the stem. Never seen one like that but who knows.

Don't break something before we figure this out.

Yes I think you are correct I believe it is a Kohler.

I stand behind my original advice. Did little research to support my claim. It appears the faucet is Kohler K-13492. Escutcheon and handle is one piece and comes off as one pieces. See enclosed video clip. ( FYI: the clip doesn't show the K-13491 model faucet, but similar model with exactly the same installation instructions as the faucet in question. Please, notice as the Installer removes handle and escutcheon.)


http://youtu.be/5hT1fm9lCSk

Well I can always be wrong Milo. I frequently am, but I still don't understand how the handle can turn without the stem turning.

After watching the video again, the escutcheon must turn with out the handle turning.

@ Harold: 4:17 of the clip, they deal with handle trim installation ( As you screw in escutcheon, it lower itself engaging stem with handle inside the escutcheon ). The handle actually spins on top of the escutcheon until it engages with the stem. Then it turns only 1/4 turn, as per position of the stem. Besides Kohler, there are several other major manufacturers who use exactly the same design, including PP, Moen, American Standard and Delta. Kinda neat design. Installs very easly as all depths are pre-set and no height adjustments are necessary. Hope that explains.

http://youtu.be/CP6I5nqvNsU

Should also see this video. Note that the mounting nut was changed. The impression I get for that change is that if the nut underneath is tighten with wrench, pressure can be exerted on the escutcheon. If that is correct, you will never turn the escutcheon to loosen without first loosening the nut underneath.

Also if valve was originally install with escutcheon already in place, tightening the nut would bind the escutcheon.



Instructional Video -Replace Two Handle Ultra Glide Valves on a Widespread

Harold I am not saying any thing Milo explained every thing and he proved it with his clip, you should have done your home work before disagreeing with me and Milo, keep up the good job, Thanks.

Regards,
John

John,

Remember my primary purpose in life is to be a disagreeable old f***.
At this point I suspect Scott is going to have to remove the valve from the sink to get the escutcheon to turn.

Herald,

Assuming is the worst thing in life.

John

I know the faucet and the handle/escutcheon does in fact spin off. In some cases, as Harold pointed out, the nut from underneath has been tightened AFTER the handle was put on, so it can be almost impossible to remove. In this case, the nut from the underside must be loosened before the handle/escutcheon can be loosened by hand... ;)

Good luck!

Mark

Watch out Mark, it can be dangerous agreeing with me.

I'll try not to make a habit of it...

Nothing is lost loosening the underneath nut, or removing the lines to pull the whole handle assembly if that doesn't work.

Or jumping up and down cussing and threatening it with a sledgehammer if it refuses to cooperate! :D

Thank you all for the valuable knowledge. I tried to remove the nut, but was unable with my tools due to the tight space. The smallest wrench I have that fits the nut is 12 inches long. I also tried a telescoping wrench, but the arm also does not fit between the nut and the sink. I think I have found a wrench on Amazon that should do the trick (Channellock 6WCB WideAzz Adjustable Wrench with Code Blue Grips, Over 1-1/2-Inch Opening 6-Inch Overall Length - - Amazon.com). When I get it in a couple of days I will report back. Thanks again

You need Basin Wrench to take that nut out. If it is frozen, you can take long flat screwdriver ( or narrow chisel ) and gently tap it sideways with hammer in CCW direction. Once you break the grip, you can use other tools to unscrew it from the stem.

I suggest purchasing a set of tub and shower wrenches.
Disconnect the supply tube and the flexible hose to the spout.
Select the correct size, slide it up the supply tube and flexible hose to the nut to insure you have the correct size.
Note that the wrenches are stackable, that is, one will fit inside of another.
Put two or three of these together and you will have a socket that will slide up over the supply tube and the flexible hose, will precisely fit the nut and will extend down below the sink.
Put the handle or a #2 screw driver through the holes and turn. If push comes to shove, you can even put a wrench on the socket to turn.

Works so much better than a basin wrench. I hate basin wrenches.

I go with Milo's suggestion to buy a basin wrench it is cheap and works better then the tub and shower wrenches, see the image below, Thanks.

John

OK so I have finally removed the valve body from the sink. It took about a week of soaking with penetrating lubricant before I was able to remove the nut with a tub wrench. And now to my next issue...

imgur: the simple image sharer
imgur: the simple image sharer

I cannot get the valve cartridge out of the valve body. I have sprayed it with penetrating lubricant a few times and have it in a vice and can still not get it loose with a properly sized socket wrench. Any advice?

Thanks

Also here is the diagram I found for the faucet:
http://www.faucet.com/mediabase/specifications/kohler/561276/kohler-devonshire-lavatory-faucet-k-394-4-installation.pdf

Yes, those stem are certainly chewed up. There is an "O" ring inside that obviously hardened preventing you form unscrewing the stem from its body. I suggest you take large (large) channel locks, grip it well, hold tight ( don't let go ) and turn with your whole body. It should go. If not, start thinking about purchasing new stem.

Back to you

Milo

Don't like the way you have the valve mounted in the vise. If you tighten the vise tight enough to hold the valve while you really pull on the stem nut you will probably distort the valve.

Suggest you take the two mounting nuts (from underneath the sink), screw both of them on to the valve body. Then tighten one up against the other really, really tight. Then put the valve in the vise, gripping the nuts.