Rebuild the Stem Assembly
At 1:40 in
Don’t Replace your Leaking Hose Bib! Rebuild It Instead
What happens here
With the stem assembly removed, take it to a clean working surface. Begin by removing the old rubber O-ring and any other worn-out components from the stem. The presenter demonstrates that the rubber O-ring is deteriorated. Clean any corrosion or buildup from the stem using a scraping tool or wire brush to ensure smooth operation of new parts. From the RK-25 Repair Kit, take the new valve seat (the brass piece) and install it onto the stem. Use two pairs of pliers (Knipex Cobra pliers recommended for their strong grip) to securely tighten this new valve seat onto the rod. Repeat this process for the other end of the stem if necessary, ensuring proper seating. Next, carefully snap the new white plastic retainer onto the newly installed valve seat, ensuring it's firmly in place. Finally, apply a small amount of silicone grease to the O-ring on the brass piece of the rebuilt stem assembly. Then, slide the new plastic crush washer onto the stem, followed by the clear plastic spacer, ensuring it aligns correctly over the weep holes.
Goal: Replace all worn-out internal components of the stem assembly with new ones from the repair kit
Tools and materials
- Knipex Cobra Pliers Knipex — For gripping the stem and tightening the new valve seats
- Old Stem Assembly Woodford Brass — The core component that needs to be repaired and rebuilt
- RK-25 Repair Kit parts Woodford — New O-rings, valve seats, and plastic retainers to replace worn components
- Small flathead screwdriver / pick — To carefully remove old O-rings and scrape off corrosion
- Traeger Grill Lid Traeger — Used as a workbench to lay out parts
- Silicone Grease — To lubricate the new O-rings for a better seal and easier assembly