Crane axle box: what is it, types, design and dimensions, do-it-yourself replacement

The faucet axle is the main element inside any two-handle mixer. This part is located in the mixer body and is responsible for opening/closing the flow, regulating the temperature and water pressure. The crane axle box, like any device, has a certain service life, after which it becomes unusable. If the faucet leaks, in most cases it is the culprit. In this article we will tell you about all types of crane axle boxes, how to choose and replace them.

What is a crane axle box, how to find a supplier, how to choose a crane axle box and change it yourself?

Purpose and scope

The main purpose of a two-handle mixer is to mix two water flows, namely cold and hot water, into a single stream. Accordingly, in addition to opening and shutting off the water flow, the axle box valve is assigned additional functions:

pressure adjustment;
setting the desired temperature.

The functionality of the device also determines the scope of its application, which means that the valve head is used in faucets installed on washbasins and bathtubs, in showers and bidet systems.

Characteristics

In view of the specifics of use, certain requirements are imposed on the axle-box crane in terms of compliance with technical standards (GOST 25809-96):

Tightness of the circuit.
Wear resistance of the materials from which it is made.
Capacity determined by the diameter of the transport channel.
Resistance of elements to high temperatures of the transported medium (up to 75⁰) and temperature changes.
Ability to withstand internal system pressure (up to 1.0 MPa).

The angle of rotation of the turning mechanism is also important. The optimal indicator is an angle of 180⁰, which minimizes the degree of wear of the mechanism.

Crane device

In general, the design of the axle box valve comes down to the following:

metal body (bolt), equipped with mounting threads and rubber seals;
transition pipe (fitting), fixed in the bolt;
a rotary mechanism (rod), the structure of which varies depending on the modification of the valve head;
a quick-release washer that fixes the position of the axle box valve in the mixer.

Some models are equipped with a fat chamber to ensure smooth operation and increase production life (see photo for diagram).

Repair of crane axle boxes

The faucet axlebox is inexpensive, so if the mixer starts to leak, the simplest thing is to replace the axlebox with a new one. But if you want to tinker with the crane axle box and try to repair this part, then you will need a repair kit for this.

First, the axle box is removed from the mixer body. To do this, remove the flywheel by first unscrewing the clamping screw with a screwdriver.
After that, the axle box is unscrewed with a wrench (can be a gas wrench or a spanner).
If this is a worm part, then you should pay attention to the rubber gasket that covers the seat. Usually it wears out or breaks. You take out a new part from the repair kit and put it in place of the old one.
In the ceramic model, you need to pay attention to the disc plates. If solid particles get between them, you can clean them and treat them with water-repellent lubricant, or replace them with new plates. If the first option is chosen, then the disks are installed in exactly the same way as they were before disassembling the axlebox, since some sides have already rubbed against each other.

Differences between a faucet and a valve

The difference between a faucet and a valve lies in the principle of operation of the valve:

in a valve, the shut-off element is located mainly outside the transport line and moves perpendicular to the transported flow;
The valve in the faucet is located inside the stem, and its movement in relation to the fluid flow can be perpendicular, parallel or slightly inclined.

This difference also determines the operational characteristics of the devices:

scope of application;
wear rate.

With intensive use, the valve wears out faster, so it is used mainly for closing or opening and extremely rarely for adjusting the flow rate in industrial pipelines.

The design of the faucet allows it to wear out more slowly even with extremely intensive use, which is why they are suitable for household faucets.

Types and designs

To accurately select axle boxes, you need to know what they are.

Depending on the design of the rod, crane axle boxes are divided into:

worm (rubber).

The valve seat is closed by means of a rubberized cuff that is progressively extended by a rod. According to the method of movement of the rod, they are divided into 2 types: reverse-threaded and equipped with special guides.

A distinctive feature is the need to make several full turns of the tap to completely open or close it. Most often used in valve-type mixers.

ceramic (disc).

The internal locking element is made of two highly polished metal-ceramic discs (plates) with holes (static and rotary), the alignment or separation of which ensures the operation of the mixer.

ball

The role of the locking mechanism is performed by a carefully polished metal ball with a through technical hole inside.

Crane boxes also differ in the standard size of the landing part, which can be:

½ inch;
3/8 inch;
¾ inch;
M18×1.

Valve heads are also classified according to the following criteria:

manufacturer (domestic or imported);
rotation angle (full and half turn);
temperature of the working environment (for cold or hot water);
the shape of the head (slotted or square), through which the valve is attached to the handwheel (valve or handle)
number of splines (protrusions, sprockets) on the rod for installation on the flywheel: 20, 24, etc.

Types of crane axle boxes

According to the design content, crane axle boxes are divided into two types:

Worm model. It is two parts of one whole: the body and the worm. There is a thread cut inside the body along which the worm rod moves when rotated. It goes right through the body. At the end of the rod there is a rubber or paranite gasket, which, when the rod is lowered, falls into the mixer seat, cutting off the water supply. By rotating the rod in the opposite direction, the water supply is opened. Household faucets use a rubber gasket, which is why the faucet axle is often called rubber.
Ceramic model. This design is based on two disks with holes: one fixed, it is fixed inside the axlebox body, the second is movable, fixed on the rod. When the latter is turned, either the hole is aligned, thereby opening the liquid supply, or the holes are closed with blind planes of ceramic disks. Therefore, to open or close you only need to turn the rod half a turn. Such taps and mixers are often called semi-revolving.

Both types of faucet axle boxes for mixers are interchangeable parts, therefore, if necessary, you can replace one with another, but with one condition - the threads inside the mixer body must fit both types.

Another point that you need to pay attention to is the external thread for screwing in. Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of axleboxes, differing from each other in design and shape, but there are two models that differ from each other in thread (shape and pitch).

Domestic manufacturers make the external thread on the rod metric. This is either M18 in steps of 1 millimeter, or M22 in steps of 1.5 millimeters. At the upper end of the rod, a square is cut, onto which a wing (flywheel) is placed to rotate the rod around its axis and relative to the body of the valve axle box.
Foreign manufacturers use inch threads in crane axle boxes: either 1/2 or 3/8. Instead of a square, 15-24 longitudinal slots are applied to the end of the rod for the valve, which is fixed on top with a screw and washer.

Thus, domestic crane axle boxes will not fit foreign models. Therefore, when going to the store for a new part, take with you an old crane axlebox that has failed.

In addition to the main parameters, there are other indicators (technical characteristics). For example, the temperature that the axle box can withstand, water pressure, throughput. These characteristics are no less important, but practically no attention is paid to them when choosing a part. All well-known manufacturers offer parts with a margin of these indicators.

Read also: Criteria for choosing kitchen faucets

Faucets are not just plumbing fixtures installed on sinks. This name covers all products that are used to mix hot and cold water. Consequently, mixers are installed in shower fixtures, bidets and other products. They all differ from each other in shape and appearance, but they have the same crane axle boxes. Thus, manufacturers are doing everything to unify the design of plumbing fixtures. This makes it possible to avoid high costs by producing parts of different shapes and sizes. In addition, this position simplifies the repair of plumbing fixtures.

Advantages and disadvantages

We propose to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each valve head model in a comparative table:

Worm crane box	Ceramic crane box	Ball valve
Opening	Long. Several full turns of the tap.	Fast, silent. Rotation angle from 90 to 180⁰	Fast, silent. Rotation angle from 90 to 180⁰
Wear	Rapid wear of the rubber cuff	Slow	Slow
Sensitivity to water quality	Impurities of salts and metals provoke premature wear of the rubber seal.	Sand impurities can cause the mechanism to jam. Ceramics are neutral to chemical compounds.	Sand impurities wear out the surface of the ball element.
The need to install an additional filtration system	Not necessary	Yes	Yes
Repair features	The downside is that the water needs to be completely shut off. Plus, you can make the rubber gasket yourself.	Not suitable for repairing internal parts.	Non-repairability of internal parts.
Price	Low	High	Average

Life time

The average period of operation of axle box cranes depends on the modification of the device:

Worm drives last an average of 1.5 – 5 years;
ball - from 3 to 5 years;
ceramic – from 5 years or more.

However, the composition of water has a significant impact on the lifespan of products. The presence of certain impurities can significantly shorten the service life, whereas in clean water the device can work properly for decades. In this regard, experts recommend installing fine filters.

The intensity of use of the mixer is also important. Thus, screw heads installed in the bathroom wear out less than those installed in the kitchen.

The first sign of wear is not a leaking faucet at all, but the appearance of a characteristic rattling hum as a consequence of the occurrence of resonance in the valve.

Advantages and disadvantages of worm and ceramic crane axle boxes

The features of worm models include the following characteristics:

Maintainability. Most often, the rubber gasket fails and cuts off the water supply. In order to repair the product, you need to unscrew the clamping screw, install a new gasket and screw the screw into place. If there are no ready-made gaskets, they can be cut from any rubber.
Small operational resource. But such an axle box costs little money, so everything is compensated.
To open water through the mixer, you have to make a large number of rotational movements. In this case, the rubber ring and gasket wear out, which leads to leakage of the spout and the faucet joint. The more wear, the more you have to screw the rod into the axlebox body, which can lead to thread breakage.

In this regard, ceramic crane axle boxes are more reliable. Their advantages over worm gear consist of the following characteristics:

Half-turn rotation extends the life of the part.
Ceramic discs practically do not wear out.
The smooth opening or closing motion does not change over time.
No effort is required to open or close the water supply.
A ceramic axlebox is as cheap as a worm axle. But there is a repair kit on sale, so repairs will not be difficult.

The only disadvantage of a ceramic faucet is its sensitivity to solid impurities contained in water. Even a small grain of sand will scratch the mirror of the ceramic disc, causing the faucet (mixer) to begin to leak. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the faucet, and, accordingly, the mixer, a filter should be installed in front of the latter, which will retain all impurities from the water.

Tips for choosing

When choosing a suitable axlebox crane model, a number of aspects are taken into account:

seat size;
type and pitch of threaded connection;
rod length and configuration;
number of splines (for imported models).

Russian and imported models are not always interchangeable. Replacing a Russian axle box valve with a foreign one is only possible in conjunction with the flywheel.

Replacing one modification with another (for example, a worm gear with a ceramic one) is possible if the overall dimensions completely match and correspond to the mixer.

Do not forget about the operating conditions of the future product: the composition of the water, the intensity of work.

To avoid mistakes in choosing the right part, experts recommend contacting a specialized store with the old part. Based on this, the consultant will select the desired model.

Summarize

Sooner or later, everyone is faced with the need to replace shut-off valves on faucets in their apartment. So, is it worth paying specialists for work if it’s easy to do it yourself? And it’s not a fact that an invited professional will replace the faucet axle on the mixer better than the home master himself. After all, you always do things for yourself “with your soul.” The only thing I would like to remind you in conclusion. Do not rush to purchase fittings without disassembling and inspecting the one currently in place. This will help you save money, which is important these days.

The mixer must always be in good condition

We hope that the information presented today was useful to our readers. If you have any questions while reading the article, you can ask them in the discussions below. The Seti.guru editorial team will definitely answer them. There you can also share your experience in installing or repairing a crane axle box - this will be useful for beginning home craftsmen. Write, ask, communicate. And finally, according to the already established good tradition, we suggest watching a short but very informative video on today’s topic.

approximate price

Models of crane axleboxes differ little from each other in price; the difference often does not exceed about 50 rubles. Key price differences are based on country of manufacture:

the cheapest valve heads are made in China. On average, their cost ranges from 70 to 1,000 rubles;
Russian ones cost about 200 – 1,500 rubles.
European brands - from 450 to 2,500 rubles.

This variation in cost is due to the design features and materials used in the manufacture of products. These differences determine the functionality and durability of the unit, so when choosing the appropriate model, price should not play the role of a determining factor.

Prices for faucet axles for mixers on the Russian market

Prices on Russian shelves for such products vary - it all depends on the manufacturer. The most popular are faucet axle boxes for Vidima mixers. But cheap Chinese products do not lose demand either. Let's look at several options with some characteristics and costs, as of April 2018.

Marking, model	Manufacturer country	Max temperature, ˚С	Max pressure, bar	Average cost (as of April 2021), rub.
1/2″ 8x20	China	90	12	95
3/8″ 8x24	China	90	12	81
Iddis Cr-AB24 Z20	Russia	75	12	480
Ledeme Read also: Size and where to install inspection wells according to SP 32.13330 standards?	China	90	1,5	159

These are products in a low price range. If we take the German one, then the cost of fittings of this brand reaches 4000 rubles.

Rules for installation and operation of the crane

The procedure for replacing and repairing the axle box valve is not difficult, and therefore this work can be done independently, without turning to specialists.

Required tools and materials

Adjustable (Swedish) wrench.
Pipe (gas) wrench.
Screwdrivers (phillips and flathead).
Pliers.
Knife.
Thick rubber.
Rags.

Work progress

Blocking the pipe through which water is supplied.
Remove the decorative cap installed in the center of the valve.
Unscrewing the mounting screw with a screwdriver.
Dismantling the valve by performing gentle rocking movements.
Unscrewing the decorative washer using pliers. Placing a piece of fabric or rubber underneath will prevent the pad from being scratched.
Unscrewing the axle box from the seat using a key at the top with special notches. Unscrewing is done counterclockwise.
Cleaning the inside of the faucet.
Lubricating threaded connections with a special oil composition (if necessary, sealant).
Screwing in the new axle box is performed in the reverse order according to paragraphs 6-1.
Upon completion of installation, the water flow is restored, and the tap is checked for leaks.

To change the direction of movement of the axlebox when opening, a locking screw is unscrewed in it, which is then screwed in from the reverse side.

How to replace the valve head

Before you go to the store to make a new purchase, you need to take measurements of the device. If the axlebox valve is leaking, then first of all you need to turn off the water supply to the system, and then begin to remove the faulty axlebox valve from the mixer. To do this, remove the decorative cover that covers the bolt securing the valve.

You can remove the plug by poking it with a knife or other flat object. Next, unscrew the screw and separate the flywheel from the tap.

The axle box valve is unscrewed with a wrench. Select the required key size and carefully begin disconnecting.

Faucets have a wide variety of features that set them apart from each other. The lack of a uniform standard brings a lot of inconvenience. Be careful and be extremely careful when unscrewing the device. The threads in them may be of the opposite type, so there is a risk of damaging the faucet by turning it in the wrong direction. Do not try to unscrew the part using pliers or a gas wrench, as the metal of the product is very fragile and can be easily damaged. Only use a wrench! Damaged edges of the device may cause difficulties in its further removal.

If you can't take the measurements you need, then just take an old tap and flywheel as a sample and go to the store to buy one. Thus, the seller will easily select the right copy for you. Or order the service of a plumber, who will take all measurements and install new equipment himself. On the Good Repair website you can order a specialist for any type of repair. You will find a lot of interesting information. Read the article on how to make your home cozy and beautiful with your own hands.

A high-quality faucet axlebox is the best way to get rid of unnecessary problems associated with excessive water consumption and other troubles. This device plays a major role in the water supply and regulation system. Therefore, it is very important to fix it correctly in the faucet when replacing it. Incorrect installation can lead to flooding of your own premises. And if you live in an apartment building, then you risk flooding your neighbors. You are responsible for such consequences, and if damage is caused to the owners of a flooded apartment, you will have to compensate for all losses.

Frequent errors and problems during installation

When screwing in, the axle box must not be overtightened, as this will lead to the formation of leaks. It just screws in all the way.
During dismantling, you may encounter the problem of the axle box sticking to the body due to its oxidation or rust. The following techniques are used to solve the problem:
Heating the body with a hair dryer.
Slight loosening of the axle box. Overdoing it can lead to damage to the faucet and faucet.
Drilling out the valve head is a last resort method, because... Subsequently, cutting of a new threaded connection will be required.

Expert advice

If the valve seat is damaged in the worm axle boxes (cracks, depressions or chips), the center element is completely changed.
A leak directly under the valve indicates the need to replace the seals.
The creaking of the faucet or the need to apply force when moving the handle or valve warns of the need to lubricate the valve head. This will prevent further damage.
The problem with the tightness of ceramic and ball axle boxes indicates the need for their complete replacement. Repairing the indoor unit is usually not possible.
When rubber gaskets wear out, it is enough to cut out the required element from dense rubber or buy it in a specialized store and replace them.