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Topic: Plumbing help please (Read 11 times) previous topic - next topic
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Plumbing help please
Yahoo Message Number: 144864
Good afternoon,
 I'd sure like some plumbing help from those here with experience. One of the plastic wing nuts under my bathroom sink faucet broke and I need to replace it. I'm working on a 1995 22' FL with the bathroom in the rear.
 The working area is pretty tight and constricted so I'm having a tough time even seeing what needs to be replaced but it appears there's an L-shaped brass fitting inserted into the end of the source plastic pipe. The wing nut that needs to tighten onto the threaded end of the faucet to supply water, appears to be connected to that brass fitting in the end of the pipe. And it's apparently held into the end of the plastic pipe with what looks like it must be a factory-installed brass ring about 3/8" wide or so and clamped to the end of the pipe.
 First, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing, if you can understand my description? Second, do I use a Dremel Tool or something to cut that brass ring off so I can remove the broken wing nut? Third, where's a good place to look for a part to replace what I'm removing? And I assume I'd hold it in place with a metal screw-tightened clamp (don't know the proper term for those).

Thanks for any advice and knowledge you can provide.

Chuck in Bellevue, WA 1995 22' FL
Re: Plumbing help please
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144866
Chuck Is this what you are talking about?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/5355941899/in/set-72157625826674170

The plastic wing-nut is a fitting that is pressed into the tubing and then a brass ring is placed around the tube and crimped with a calibrated tool. you are correct that the brass ring needs to be removed.
Getting a crimper in there, to secure a new fitting, is going to tough.

Your LD is plumbed with PEX tubing. Luckily, there are PEX fittings locally available that do not require crimping. Home Depot carries the SharkBite brand. With the SharkBite fitting, just press the tubing into the fitting...done.

http://www.sharkbite.com/ There are other brands of PEX repair fittings that do not require crimping. If HD does not have the right one, try a big plumbing supply store.

Measure very carefully if the PEX needs to be cut. There is next to no adjustment available, the tubing needs to be the right length. Also, be gentle with the nearly 20 year old tubing, it gets brittle with age.

Larry

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Plumbing help please
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144869
Hi Larry........ thank you so much. That's exactly the help I needed, and the photo you sent helped too. Though my configuration was a bit different than your photo the concept was the same and I was able to find exactly what I needed at Home Depot.
 It helped a lot that I now knew to look for the fitting I needed in the PEX section. Until I saw the part in my LD and then saw your description of it I had no idea such a fitting was ever dreamed up, let alone manufactured. I only had time today to get the part I needed, along with an under-sink tool I'd learned about online last night but I think the job should go well tomorrow. Thanks for the warning about the tubing getting brittle, Larry. I'll handle it carefully.

Thank you again.......... Chuck