The main thing about the axle box crane: its types and sizes
The variety of mixers that are presented in construction stores and on Internet sites is amazing. But this diversity is more visual and aesthetic. For a plumber, there are only two types of plumbing devices. Let's talk about them in more detail, and at the same time talk about what axle box cranes are, their types and sizes.
- Devices in which a threaded (rubber) faucet with a worm screw is installed;
- Devices in which a metal-ceramic faucet axle box is installed.
Threaded axle boxes
The principle of operation is based on the rotation of the valve, which exerts pressure on the rubber gasket. Depending on the strength of this pressure, the water pressure is regulated. To obtain a jet of maximum force, you need to ease the pressure on the gasket as much as possible. To do this, you need to perform several full turns of the rod.
Threaded axle box Source vesali.ru
Rubber crane axle boxes are divided into:
- Reverse threaded devices.
- Devices with guides.
The crane box is fixed using a thread. It is applied to the outer part of the case in its lower part. The method for using the wrench is provided at the top.
The quality of the rubber gasket used in the device determines the period of its trouble-free operation. A gasket made of high-quality elastic rubber will last several times longer than a similar gasket made of low-quality rubber.
The condition of the gasket can be judged by whether water drips from a closed tap or not. If there are no drops, everything is fine. If drops appear on a fully closed faucet, the gasket needs to be replaced.
The advantages of this type of device include ease of replacement and maintenance, low price, and the ability to repair using improvised means.
At the same time, it has a drawback: a relatively short service life, which, remember, depends on the frequency of use of the device.
Ceramic crane axle box
The short service life of the classic valve head was the reason that engineers began to look for an alternative to it. The task was this: to increase the service life, but at the same time maintain all the advantages. And they almost succeeded.
Ceramic axle box Source masterprof.net
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in water supply, sewerage and related work
Instead of rubber, it was decided to use metal ceramics. The water supply in such devices is controlled not by rubber cuffs, but by special discs. These discs are made of cermet and have a perfectly smooth surface. This surface is achieved by grinding and ensures maximum adherence of one disc to another.
Each of the disks has a special hole. One of the disks is static and does not move, and the second rotates 90 degrees. The rotation of the disk is controlled using a fitting. When the tap is open, the holes align and water flows freely through them. And when the tap is closed, the discs reliably block each other’s holes.
But rubber is also used in such axle boxes. True, in this case as a pressing element. Thanks to the pressure it exerts on the discs, they are pressed against each other very tightly.
These devices are distinguished by their durability, silent operation and ergonomics.
But the problems only increased. The pressure gasket may fail. If the faucet starts dripping, most likely it is her fault. And if the water is rich in lime or contains sand, the surface of the discs may be damaged. Damage can be avoided by installing filter systems.
The price of a metal-ceramic faucet axlebox is higher than that of a classic one. If the core of the device is damaged, the answer to the question of how to repair a ceramic axle box is no way, its repair becomes impossible. Complete replacement only.
Various models of crane axleboxes Source natrix-el.kz
The length of the crane box varies from 46 mm to 60 mm depending on the model.
Ceramics take over
All hot and cold water mixers fail after a while. Their design provides for quickly wearing elements - the axle box tap for the mixer. In faucets made in old Soviet times, these are rubber gaskets. Time does not stand still and faucets have begun to improve, replacing rubber or bronze wear parts with ceramic ones.
Ceramics is not the clay from which dishes are made. These are powdery mixtures of various metals sintered at high temperatures. They have qualities superior to modern steel. Due to their increased hardness, ceramic parts are tens of times more durable than rubber parts.
Axlebox tap in the mixer - Photo 02
Ceramic products have such beneficial properties.
- mechanical strength,
- hardness,
- chemical and thermal resistance,
- do not rust.
- high cost compared to rubber ones.
How to choose a crane axle box
In order not to make a mistake when choosing a new axle box, try to take into account the following nuances:
- The diameter of the seat and the length of the old crane axle box.
- What crane axle box was used?
- Rod size and shape.
- Exact number of splines.
- For a ceramic model, you need to know the exact angle of rotation.
If the broken axle box was made in Russia, a Russian model will definitely take its place. If you want to exchange such a model for an imported one, you will have to purchase a part equipped with a flywheel. To avoid difficulties, it is recommended to take the old axle box with you to the store and ask the consultant to select a replacement for it. Another good option is to watch videos on YouTube. You can learn how to repair a crane axle box and see the whole process step by step. One of these videos will be in our article just below.
Disassembled crane axlebox Source ad-cd.net
If you have an old sewer system in your house and there is sand in the water, then very soon you will begin to worry about the question of how to repair a semi-revolving ceramic axle-box faucet. Therefore, either purchase an additional water purification system, or use a classic axle-box faucet.
Why does the door start to creak and how can it be fixed?
There are several main reasons why the front door begins to creak. Let's look at them in more detail:
- The most common reason is improper manufacturing of the door itself. For example, the hinges are welded incorrectly. You can solve this problem yourself, or contact a specialist. As a rule, for high-quality rearrangement of hinges, the door must be temporarily dismantled and the necessary work performed. Experts strongly recommend not to experiment with self-digestion of loops, because this process is quite important for further functioning;
- There is no lubrication in the hinges. This problem is very easy to fix with your own hands. The door leaf is slightly raised on its hinges, and lubricant is added to the resulting gap. If everything is done correctly, the squeak disappears very quickly;
- Incorrect lubricant selected. A striking example is the use of ordinary grease to lubricate the entrance street door. The fact is that at low temperatures, some types of lubricants begin to thicken and turn into a classic abrasive. If this problem is not corrected in a timely manner, very large wear will appear on the hinges, which may cause them to be forced to be replaced;
- There are no balls in the loops. To eliminate this problem, the door leaf must be carefully removed from the hinges, small balls must be placed inside the hinges and the door leaf must be installed in place;
- The door trim touches the hinges. The most relevant solution to this problem is a careful “adjustment” of the cladding. Typically, this can be done using a regular knife. In some cases, the cladding must be removed before fitting.
Recommendations from experts
Experts strongly recommend adhering to a few simple rules.
First of all, we are talking about new doors, which are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. There are often situations when, after installation, the door begins to creak slightly.
Most often, installers assure the owner of the apartment or house where the door is installed that the creaking will go away very soon, since at the moment the hinges are still completely new and the lubricant has not been completely distributed. In fact, new hinges should not creak, which means you need to immediately inform the store about this shortcoming.
The next important nuance is the independent reinstallation of the hinges. As mentioned earlier, it is better to entrust this work to specialists. The fact is that for proper functioning, the hinges must be located clearly along the axis. The slightest deviation will lead to very unpleasant consequences, and all efforts will be in vain.
What you need to pay attention to when choosing a valve head
If you use faucets at home made in Russia or even in the USSR, then their rotating mechanism is equipped with a connecting part that has a square shape. Until now, this connection option is considered the most successful and reliable. It practically eliminates the possibility of erasing the edges and turning the flywheel. Devices manufactured abroad are more susceptible to this.
Crane axlebox options Source gilevasvetlana.ru
Such devices use a splined valve mount. There are many small grooves on the stem. When cut, it resembles an asterisk. The splines can wear out over time, and the product has to be completely replaced.
Worm mechanism
The traditional type of shut-off and control mechanism that bathroom faucets are equipped with is a worm-type faucet. These devices received their characteristic name because of the rotating rod design.
On the outside there is a thread on the faucet, which provides a tighter connection with the mixer, and on top it has a handle equipped with edges for a wrench.
Inside the body of the tap, the worm gear rod is movably attached to the bolt using a bracket or washer. Inside, the surface of the rod is protected from water leaks by special seals called oil seals. Cranes equipped with such axle-box mechanisms have the following advantages:
- Maintainability . Unlike its analogues, a worm-type faucet can be repaired if it begins to leak water, since its rubber gasket rings can be replaced.
- Low cost . Locking mechanisms for worm-type mixers are cheaper than ceramic ones, even if they are imported.
- Possibility of self-production of oil seals . The bathroom is a high-traffic room, so faucet consumables have to be changed quite often. The advantage of this type of axlebox is that the seals for it can be cut out of thick rubber with your own hands.
Please note! Replacing a faucet axle box with a worm-type mechanism in a bathtub is currently performed quite rarely by plumbers. The low price of this device is compensated by the short service life of the part, low smoothness of operation, and the large number of revolutions required for opening.
How to disassemble a crane axle box
Be careful. Independent work with water under pressure requires a responsible approach. Before purchasing an axlebox in a store, remove it and measure it carefully. Before removing, be sure to turn off the water supply to the apartment.
Attention! It is important to understand well how to disassemble a faucet axlebox before starting plumbing work.
Remove the decorative plug from the valve and, using a Phillips screwdriver, dismantle it. The plug can be easily removed with a slotted screwdriver or knife.
Unscrew the valve axle Source mr-build.ru
Cartridges for single lever mixers
Replacing seals does not always eliminate problems that have arisen.
In such a situation, it may be necessary to replace the cartridge for the single-lever faucet. You can carry out repair work yourself. The main thing is to purchase a suitable repair part. Replace mixer cartridge
How to replace the cartridge in a faucet in the kitchen or bathroom
Let's take a closer look at how to replace the cartridge in a kitchen faucet so you can do it yourself. The work is performed in the following sequence:
To ensure that the new cartridge lasts as long as possible, you should pay attention to products with good reviews
Mixer cartridge repair
Before buying a new cartridge, you should make sure that the old one cannot be repaired. How to repair a mixer cartridge is carried out, we will consider below:
What to do if the valve head is leaking
The smallest grains of sand that are in tap water over time disrupt the smoothness of the surface of the discs and the tap begins to leak.
The reasons why the faucet starts to drip are as follows::
- Ceramic discs wear out. As we wrote above, this is due to the presence of solid particles in the water. This problem can be solved by replacing the disks with new ones of similar size.
- If you notice in time that the crane begins to work a little differently than before, it makes sense to disassemble it and remove the crane axle box. It, in turn, also needs to be disassembled and cleaned. Such a preventative measure can significantly extend its service life.
- Are there any drops? Disassemble the mixer, remove the faucet and examine the condition of the sealing elements. If they are in order, see point 1. If traces of mechanical damage are visible, replace the seals and reassemble everything in reverse order.
- If the axle box mechanism has been used frequently for a long time, it has probably become unusable. It is impossible to repair such a breakdown. Complete replacement only.
Assembling the faucet Source 5domov.ru
Only after understanding the cause of the breakdown can you understand how to repair a ceramic faucet axle box in one case or another.
Advantages
Most parts have advantages and disadvantages. The crane axle box has four main advantages, which you need to familiarize yourself with in advance.
Durability
For many people, the main benefit of a part is its durability. Most product models are made from high-quality materials that take a long time to deteriorate. Therefore, the service life of the faucet axle box often exceeds the service life of the mixer itself in which it is installed.
However, sometimes there are defective spare parts that break down much faster, within a year or several months after purchase.
Control speed
Another important advantage of the part is its control speed. This product is much easier to use than mixers that have a worm head installed.
When using an axle box, a person will not need to spin the flywheel for a long time. To completely shut off or open the flow of water, you need to turn the tap only half a turn. At the same time, turning such a valve does not even require much effort.
Easy repair and replacement
There are times when axle boxes fail and you have to repair them or completely replace them with new ones. Some people think that doing repair work is difficult, but this is not so. Repairing this part is very simple, and therefore anyone can handle this work. However, before doing this, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for carrying out the work.
Silence
Some types of faucets begin to make noise during operation. However, models that are equipped with a crane axle box do not make noise or make any sounds. If extraneous noise appears during operation, it is better to disassemble the product and inspect it.
