The bushing crane for the mixer is ceramic. Serviceable crane box - what you need for comfort

Water taps there are in every kitchen and bathroom, and sometimes they can also be found in the toilet. Mixers were invented to regulate the flow and temperature of water. Since they are used quite actively (especially if it is a large family with children), then they often have to be changed. Naturally, a man will deal with repairing or replacing a broken device, but a woman most often has to choose it. Therefore, to know: what they are and what you should definitely pay attention to in order to do right choice is simply necessary.

One of the most important details for is such a device as a crane box. After all, it is this part located in the body that is responsible for the start, pressure, temperature and stopping the water supply in the tap. Therefore, if the tap began to “leak”, then most often this is due to it.

In this article, we will try to figure out which crane box is better and how you can change it.

Technical characteristics of the axle box crane

When choosing a faucet box, you should pay attention to its size and the material from which the gaskets are made, which are responsible for ensuring tight pressing against the valve seat in order to shut off the water supply. If there is a need for replacement, then you need to buy a part with the same length and diameter parameters as the original one. Therefore, the old part after a breakdown cannot be immediately thrown away. It is better to take it with you to the store and show it to the seller.

A crane box with a black rubber gasket (cuff) located on one side, also called a worm, is more old model this detail. Due to its low cost and ease of repair (you only need to change the gasket), it is very popular. But due to the fact that such a crane box has a short service life and to shut off the flow of water, it is necessary to make 2-3 turns with a valve, there was a need to improve it.

The result of this process was the appearance of a crane box with ceramic. This part has a higher wear resistance. Also, its great advantage is that the tap opens after turning the valve by 180 °, which significantly reduces the amount of time spent and increases the life of the entire mixer.

But it also has disadvantages:

• higher cost compared to worm;
• the repair is quite complicated, so it is recommended to immediately buy a new part;
• sensitive to impurities in the water, it is most often recommended to first put the filter on the water, and then install it.

In order to replace the faucet box in the mixer, it is not necessary to call a plumber. You can do it yourself.

If our ancestors extracted water from wells, carrying it in buckets from a neighboring street, then it is enough for us to turn on the tap, and, please, a whole sea of ​​life-giving moisture is at your disposal. However, the faucet, like other “devices” in the house, needs to be maintained, otherwise the pipes will start to hum and the “spout” will leak. The main element of the device is considered to be a box-crane, which is responsible for the appropriate pressure and quality of the water supply. What is this "beast"?

And here is the “hero” of the article, thanks to which we get water of the desired temperature at the outlet of the pipes

You can meet this detail only in mixers with two handles, where you need to regulate the flow of hot and cold water.

Crane boxes vary in types and sizes. Devices are of this type:

• familiar - worm, equipped with a rubber cuff;
• "devices" of a new generation - with ceramic inserts.

If we talk about sizes, then this is 3/8 or 1/2 inches.

By the way, it is not so difficult to replace or repair a crane box on your own, of course, if you are familiar with its device and operation features. Let's look at both types of "devices".

Rubber cartridge

You have been familiar with the worm-drive crane-axle box since childhood, these are exactly what our parents and their parents used in the era of the Union. There simply were no other options. You may not have seen this detail, but you certainly heard it. Like this? Everything is simple. Remember, at least once, but each of us was faced with the hum of pipes, when it seems that some kind of wild animal has settled inside the water supply, rushing to freedom, or incapacitating nervous system, similar to torture by dripping - this is with the valve closed. The culprit of such inconvenience is the rubber cuff, which quickly becomes unusable and destroys, by the way, the mixer itself. So, if you hear rattling or see dripping, immediately replace the crane box or at least the rubber seal in order to protect the mixer from premature “death”.

The principle of operation of a rubber faucet is simple: the piston, following the thread, moves and closes at the right time, providing water supply and shut-off.

The biggest plus of such a cartridge is the price, the part costs a “penny”. The second positive point is the possibility of replacing the cuff, while with ceramic faucets, this number, as a rule, does not work. The lower part of the cartridge, which is responsible for shutting off the water, is rubber, which wears out quickly. If you do not change the faucet box in time, then the mixer will begin to leak, drip, flow. The disadvantages also include the need to repeatedly turn the handle to open or close the water and the cost of frequent plumbing calls if you do not know how to replace the faucet box yourself.

ceramic faucet

Capricious rubber cartridges were replaced by ceramic faucets, popularly referred to as "half-turn" - because of the convenient handle stroke: to open or close the water, you do not need to repeatedly turn the flywheel.

What kind of crane boxes does this have? specifications What are its pros and cons?

As you understand, ceramics is used in this model instead of rubber - the material is more reliable, durable and modern. It is extremely rare to change such cartridges, the pipes never “sneeze”, and the “nose” does not drip.

But there is also a minus - a significant price. However, who knows whether you will overpay or save money, because replacing the cuffs of a rubber model also costs money. IN last resort if the budget does not allow, buy at least a faucet box for switching the shower, so as not to spin in the bathroom, like in a frying pan, setting the desired temperature and water supply power.

It's important to know! If you know that the water entering the apartment contains sand, then install an inlet filter to protect the ceramic cartridge from breakage.

How to replace a faucet

Whichever cartridge you choose, sooner or later, you will be faced with the need to replace it. What are the signs that it's time to buy a new module?

1. A trickle/drop of water oozes from under the handle.
2. Flywheels are hard to turn.
3. It drips from the “spout” (rotational movements of the handle do not change the situation).

How to make a replacement?

DIY repair? Why not? See, it's just

Preparation for repair

First, when buying a new part, make sure that it fits in size (3/8 or 1/2 inch) and thread (slotted or square). If you do not understand what is being discussed, then it is better to unscrew the cartridge and take it with you, the seller will certainly pick up something that will fit your mixer.

Secondly, do not forget to turn off the water - both hot and cold, so that after repairing the tap, you do not have to make repairs in the entire apartment. Check if the water has really shut off by opening both taps to the limit, otherwise it happens that the valves on the risers also fail.

Third, prepare necessary tools: pliers, wrenches right size, just in case, and a drill, as well as a couple of screwdrivers with different crosses.

Step by step guide

So, a new part has been bought, tools have been found, are you mentally ready? Let's look at the stages of how to make repairs.

1. Removing the plug, which is usually round and made of plastic. Pry off the plug with a screwdriver or any flat tool and remove. If the “device” is imported, then there may be a plastic retainer under the plug, also remove it.
2. Unscrewing the screw with a screwdriver.
3. Dismantling the flywheel (handle).
4. Unscrewing the faucet box (you may still have to unscrew the lock nut present on some models).
5. Cleaning the threads and the inside of the faucet (as far as possible). Taking the opportunity, carefully inspect the surfaces for cracks, shrinkage cavities, etc.
6. Installing a new cartridge. In fact, everything happens as described above, but in reverse order. Meanwhile, you are free to change something, for example, the direction of rotation of the axle box. What is required for this? It is necessary to unscrew the locking screw screwed into the stem and screw it in from the other side, which will allow the valve to turn in reverse side.
7. Checking the operation of the new module.

It's important to know! And how to unscrew the faucet box if it has boiled, rusted or sour? Go back to the store and buy a special liquid - for such cases. Treat the screw with it, wait a quarter of an hour, and off you go.

If replacing the module did not help, change the handle, it is possible that the leak was due to the failure of this part

Agree, replacing the axle box crane is not such a difficult task ?!

Probably, all people who use plumbing have encountered such a problem: you turn on the water, and the tap starts to rattle, or after closing it, the water still continues to flow. And everyone knows that if you encounter such "symptoms", then most likely it's time to change the crane box. Now we will tell you in more detail what a crane box is, what they are, and how to actually change them.

Varieties of crane boxes

All crane boxes that currently exist can be divided into two types:

1. Crane box, which is suitable for faucets and faucets of old (Soviet) designs.
2. The one that fits modern faucets and faucets.

Crane boxes of the old type are also called "worm" in another way. They also have an additional rubber cuff. On such models, the number of splines is usually 20, the thread diameter is half an inch. From closing to opening the valve (flywheel), such a crane-box has, as a rule, 4 turns, and the rubber gasket (cuff) is located on the retractable end of the stem (the extended part of the box).

Such crane boxes have certain disadvantages, which can be called very significant. The main drawback of this model is that it long term its operation. Over time, such elements lose their smoothness, and from there an unpleasant resonant sound originates. In addition, an elastic band that is already deformed can easily ruin the entire water supply network and keep leaking.

Crane box-"ceramics"

Such crane boxes appeared recently on domestic market. They are suitable for new mixer models and variants, in addition, they have a large number of advantages. From closing to opening - only half a turn. The main part of this model is two small plates made of ceramics and having the same holes.

Advantages and disadvantages ceramic faucet box

The main advantage is a much longer service life (unlike the Soviet crane boxes). It is less noisy in operation and is suitable for both conventional taps and most imported mixers.

The disadvantage is the high cost of this option, it also quickly becomes clogged (if there are impurities of clay or sand in the water), therefore, it requires additional installation special fine filter.

Crane box replacement

As we said above, almost everyone can change the crane box at the present time. To do this, it is not necessary to call a plumber, and then wait another half day for his arrival. You only need to take on this matter yourself if you are completely sure that it was the crane box that caused the breakdown.

For example, if even when the tap is closed, water continues to flow, most likely, the gasket (rubber cuff) on the axle box stem has simply worn off, and you can not completely change the tap box. But if the crane rumbles so that the vibration is given to the entire riser, the thread is probably worn out here, and the crane-box must be completely replaced. In general, it should be changed about once a year, however, if water is coming dirty, with sand or rust, the life of such an axle box is significantly reduced.

A faucet box for a mixer is a device that blocks or opens the flow of water inside the mixer. Moreover, a crane box is used for a valve, that is, for a mixer with valve switches. The faucet box is directly connected to the mixer flywheel: turning the flywheel (valve) causes the water flow to be blocked by the faucet box.

Crane box device

There are two types of mechanisms of this kind: a worm-driven axle box and a ceramic mixer tap. Their device is different and we will describe each separately.

Faucet box for mixer

Worm-driven crane box- this is nothing more than a screw passing through the body, which is attached to the mixer. One end of this screw is connected to a flywheel (valve, “lamb”, etc.) located outside the mixer. The other end is connected to a rod, at the end of which a rubber gasket (cuff) is fixed. In this connection, another name for such devices is used in everyday life: “rubber box crane”.

- an article under this heading will help you find the right and most suitable product for your needs in stores

Crane boxes are used in. What are their features? Read about it on our website

When the flywheel is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the “worm” (that is, the mentioned screw) moves forward or backward along the thread inside the faucet box body and, with a rubber gasket, respectively, closes or opens the hole for supplying water to the mixer.

In such a crane box, the rubber wears out quickly, the gasket has to be changed. Although it (the gasket) costs pennies, and this operation is trifling, but troubles are troubles!

If the design is based crane bushings - ceramics, then its device is even simpler. Main element- two adjacent ceramic discs with holes. One disc is engaged with a stem connected to a handwheel valve; the other is immobile. All of this is packed in a sleeve-shaped body of a crane box, which is screwed into the mixer.

If the rotation of the flywheel causes the holes of the ceramic discs to align, then water is supplied to the mixer. If turning the flywheel causes the holes to move against each other, then the flow is blocked.

Crane with ceramic box more convenient than with rubber, more durable, but more expensive and more sensitive to water pollution: a grain of sand caught between ceramic discs can damage them. You can’t replace them: you have to buy a whole new crane box.

What you need to know when buying a crane box

Now there are so many crane-box options in use that replacing them becomes a real hassle. At the very least, the buyer needs to learn a few things:

The imported faucet box has an inch thread ½ or 3/8 inch (meaning the thread with which the faucet box is screwed into the mixer). The valve fastening is slotted, and the number of slots at the end of the stem is from 15 to 24;

The domestic crane box has metric thread sizes: either M22 in 1.5 mm increments or M18 in 1 mm increments. seat flywheel on the crane box - a square, with fixation after installation with a screw.

Of course, it is impossible for a mere mortal to correctly determine and remember all the characteristics of a crane box, and when going to the store, it’s better to just take an old crane box with you and pick up a new one using it.

Of course, other technical characteristics of the crane box are also important. For example, the pressure it can withstand, or Maximum temperature water, throughput (the volume of water that the box is able to skip in a minute - for those with ceramic liners). These parameters are fundamental, but all legal manufacturers make such a margin for them that few people take them into account when choosing a crane box.

Some readers are wondering if there are special faucets for bathtubs, showers, bidets, etc.?

Manufacturers strive for maximum unification of these products, and although basin and shower faucets have different design, a crane box for a shower does not fundamentally differ from other similar products.