DaveLab
Member
Kohler Bancroft faucet action started getting stiff on one side. Valve cartridge is fine. The feel is determined by a single, thin O-ring on the handle's shaft that creates a small amount of friction against the outer wall.
I tried plumber's grease, which works at first, but soon wears off, and the stiff action returns. I contacted Kohler (lifetime warranty), who sent me out a new handle, cartridge, and O-ring. Nothing helped. Even with the new stuff, the stiffness remained! Without the O-ring, there is NO friction, and the handle flies around freely.
I tried cleaning and polishing the outer wall to minimize the friction against the O-ring. Didn't help. I tried swapping parts with the other side, and now both sides are stiff!
This is a real mystery. Any insights would be very much appreciated.
I tried plumber's grease, which works at first, but soon wears off, and the stiff action returns. I contacted Kohler (lifetime warranty), who sent me out a new handle, cartridge, and O-ring. Nothing helped. Even with the new stuff, the stiffness remained! Without the O-ring, there is NO friction, and the handle flies around freely.
I tried cleaning and polishing the outer wall to minimize the friction against the O-ring. Didn't help. I tried swapping parts with the other side, and now both sides are stiff!
This is a real mystery. Any insights would be very much appreciated.