Trying to fix a leaking shower (American Standard)

[Cortiz]

UPDATE -- found the info -- Leaving this for background, but please see second post....



Hi there. First post, led here by google searches. I'm trying to fix my mom's leaking shower. It's a pretty bad, constant drip.

My first plan was to change the o-rings, and I got as far as removing the cartridge. Even though I have a box of various sizes, the closest fit to the outer one was too fat and wouldn't let me push the cartridge back in all the way. Also, as you can probably see in the pics, the inner o-ring was scrunched up between the two pieces of the cartridge. I didn't have a replacement for that one either, and of course it's Sunday and the hardware store is closed. So I re-seated the rings and reassembled everything, but the leak is still just as bad. Maybe slightly better.

I went online to look for a replacement cartridge but couldn't find it. I don't think it's been changed since my mom moved here almost 25 years ago. The only branding I could find was on the escutcheon plate, which says American Standard.

So first of all, would replacing the o-rings fix the problem, if I can find the right ones? Or does it seem like changing the cartridges is the best option? If so, any idea how I can track one down? Or should I just pack it in and call a plumber? Thanks in advance.

 

[Cortiz]

I've now been in touch with American Standard and this is what they said:

"I have received your pictures and have identified your shower unit as the Prestige 1805 model as shown in the attached file. The transfer valve rebuild kit is part 066285-0070A and the valve rebuild kit is part 066287-0070A as shown in the links provided."

Here's the file he sent:

So the transfer valve rebuild kit (part 066285-0070A) is for the shower knob (the middle one, to switch between bath faucet and shower), and that the valve rebuild kit (part 066287-0070A) is for the hot water. I'm not sure if he's suggesting that both need to be replaced to stop the leak? I was under the impression that it was just the shower cartridge that should be replaced.

Thanks for any help....

 

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[Cortiz]

Just a bump.... nobody has any advice? I would have thought this was a fairly common and simple repair.