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How to fix tap spindles that are too wide to fit?

Hello,

I recently purchased some new wall mounted taps that are 1/4 turn hot cold tap with ceramic disc cartridge. When I disconnected the old taps, I found that the end of the new spindles were too wide to fit down the hole so I couldn’t screw them in. Is there anyway I can fix this or do I need to buy a whole new set?

thanks!

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Hayden88. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing taps.

Could you please provide a little more information about what part of the spindle won't fit? Marking it on an image would help. We have some standardised thread sizes for spindles. So, the thread width should be the same unless you've purchased these from overseas.

The first thing to note is that you have left the washer valve instead the tap seat, which will prevent any new spindle from being screwed in. Pull the little white end of it out with needle-nosed pliers, or try to fish it out. Then, try screwing your spindles in again.

Secondarily, you have the tap assembled in your picture. You need to install the spindle first before assembling the tap. Dissasemble it as per your first image and install the spindle by itself. Trying to install the spindle with the collar already on will prevent it screwing in.

If the actual thread width is different as per the image below, you would need to purchase new taps that match the standard thread size.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Hayden88

Hi Mitchell,

thanks for your response. I removed the white things inside and it still would not fit. The width of the gold end is my concern and doesn’t seem to fit inside the valve. These were purchased in Australia too. I just assumed these sort of fittings would be standard sizing. I’ve attached another image for reference.

MitchellMc

Yes, they should be a standardised fitting @Hayden88. Our ceramic disc spindles and taps are designed to suit and replace standard outlets. I'm unsure why yours would be oversized. You can see from the images of them that the ends are a similar size to the one you have and are only slightly thinner than the threaded section.

I'm sure it's hard to tell, but is it coming close to fitting, or is it nowhere near it? Can you do any of the threads up, or does the end section prevent you from even getting to that point?

Anything to note is that you need to unscrew the section I've marked below in green from the inner spindle marked in red when installing. If the green section is done up too far, it can prevent the spindle threads from engaging. You can see what it should look like in your first image when the green section is removed.

Failing that working, you might need to contact the supplier for further troubleshooting. If it were a tap set you've purchased through us, I'd be more than happy to contact the manufacturer for you.

Mitchell

EricL

Hello @Hayden88

Having had a close look at the photos you posted it appears that the person who renovated your plumbing fittings used a Kinetic 25mm Wall Tap Spindle Extender or similar device. This means that you are limited to using traditional wall taps as ceramic spindles will not fit through the opening of the extension sleeve.

One way to modify your spindle base is to remove the extension piece in the wall and replace it with a Kinetic 28mm Ceramic Disc Spindle Extender. This brass extension is designed to work with ceramic spindles and should fit. In saying that, it will be an involved update as some of your tiles might need to be removed to get access to the spindle base.

If the old extension has binded to the old brass base it will be difficult to remove. I recommend engaging the services of a licensed plumber and getting a quote to update your spindle base.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Hayden88

Thanks Eric and Mitchell,

Turns out they were old spindle extenders, very corroded which I could not remove myself. Got a plumber out to fix the issue.

Cheers!

MitchellMc

Awesome, I'm glad to hear you got it sorted @Hayden88.

Many thanks for the update.

Mitchell

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