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Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink

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Bruce

Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« on: July 22, 2015, 05:37:22 pm »
A handle on our bathroom sink makes a squeaking sound when turning it.  Below is a photo of our sink.

I've read that lubricating the handle stem will eliminate the squeak, but I'm not sure how to remove the cap on the handle.

Do I use a screw driver as suggested in the following procedure and does this procedure seem like the right thing to do?

Lubricate the stem as follows:

Push the end of a screwdriver under the cap on the knob to pry it off. If the center cap will not pop off, it is probably threaded. Loosen it with a pair of pliers and turn it counterclockwise with your fingers to remove it.

Remove the screw in the center of the knob.

Pull the knob up to remove it.

Coat the exposed handle stems with plumber’s grease.

Sounds easy enough, but I've never done this before.
--Bruce
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donc13

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2015, 09:25:01 pm »
Quote from: Bruce and Sharon on July 22, 2015, 05:37:22 pm
A handle on our bathroom sink makes a squeaking sound when turning it.  Below is a photo of our sink.

I've read that lubricating the handle stem will eliminate the squeak, but I'm not sure how to remove the cap on the handle.

Do I use a screw driver as suggested in the following procedure and does this procedure seem like the right thing to do?

Lubricate the stem as follows:

Push the end of a screwdriver under the cap on the knob to pry it off. If the center cap will not pop off, it is probably threaded. Loosen it with a pair of pliers and turn it counterclockwise with your fingers to remove it.

Remove the screw in the center of the knob.

Pull the knob up to remove it.

Coat the exposed handle stems with plumber’s grease.

Sounds easy enough, but I've never done this before.
--Bruce

Yes those instructions are correct...BUT do not use a screwdriver to pry up the center cap...use a knife blade and slowly work it between the cap and the knob.   You will scratch the finish if you try with a standard screwdriver.  A small jeweler's screwdriver will work though.

 
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2015, 11:56:06 am »
Don,
Thank you for your reply.
We're camping now, so will try to fix the squeak when we get home.
--Bruce
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2015, 06:03:51 pm »
We're at home now, so I'm attempting to fix the squeaking handle.  So far I've removed the cap on the handle, removed the handle, and removed a plastic nut from the base of the handle stem.  The stem is all plastic and is firmly secured in the fixture.  I can't move it by hand and am afraid to put a pair of pliers or other tool on the plastic threads.
Does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove the stem so that I can apply some lubrication to it?
--Bruce
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2015, 07:19:25 pm »
Bruce

I have the same problems and need some help.

I do not see a cap.  How did you get the handle off, really don't want to break anything.

Barry
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2015, 08:05:38 pm »
Barry,
On our faucets there is a small, somewhat oval, about 3/4" long piece on the handle showing hot or cold side.  I gentle slipped a thin pointed knife blade under the edge of that "cap" and popped it out.
I hope you can tell me how to continue on ours.
--Bruce
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Janey

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2015, 08:10:32 pm »
Home Depot has some really nice replacement faucets.
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2015, 08:55:17 pm »
Bruce,

Ours doesn't have a cap like yours.  But I think I found a good you tube video on how you can fix yours.  Check this out https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=08QFK2dGrgg

Hope it will solve your problem.

Barry
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2015, 01:40:22 am »
Janey,
Thanks for the tip on a Home Depot replacement.  I'll do that after I break our current one.   :lol

Barry,
Thanks for the you tube link.  The faucet design does look similar ours (the cap on ours is about 1/3 the size and fits flush with the top of the handle).  It sure looks scary the way he uses the adjustable wrench to pull the stem out without breaking it or striping the threads.  I don't understand what he is doing with the stem in the table vice--none of the other videos I've watched includes anything like that.

I'll make another attempt soon.

--Bruce
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2015, 12:10:41 pm »
I finally learned how to remove the squeaky valve inside our bathroom faucet handle.  It turned out to be very easy, but I couldn’t see how until I removed  the entire faucet from the counter.

The valve had been right before my eyes after just removing the handle and the plastic nut beneath the handle (the steps listed in my previous posts).

The valve is on the top end of the white threaded handle stem that you can see in the photo below.  That little valve is just pushed into place—no threads on it and no pliers or wrench needed to pull it out. 

The place on the valve that meets with the stem looks like the last tread there.  I slipped a thin bladed screwdriver into that spot and separated the valve from the stem and applied some lubricant (just as shown in the video that Barry posted).

No more squeak now.

--Bruce
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2015, 05:05:06 pm »
I had the same problem Bruce had but my faucet handle did not have an access cap.  I spent several days trying to find some reference on how to remove the handle.  Today, I called the factory and spoke to Kermit and within 5 minutes I had my answer.  PC uses two styles of handles those with and those without an access cap.  

When there is no access cap the handle assemble is made up of 2 pieces, a base and a handle.  The round handle ( parallel to counter top) is screwed into the faucet and holds the base in place.  

Here are the steps I used to lubricate the squeaking stem in the hot water bathroom faucet:

1.  Unscrew handle and remove

2. Remove base

3. Remove screw from top of stem assemble

4.  Remove handle attachment point

5.  Remove large nut

6. Remove stem assemble from valve

7.  Pull stem assemble apart to gain access to stem

8.  Lubricate stem

9.  Push stem assemble together

10. Reassemble faucet

« Last Edit: July 31, 2015, 05:12:07 pm by Barry-Sue »
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Bruce

Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2015, 05:55:00 pm »
Barry,
You've posted an excellent explanation of the process.  That and both of our photos might be helpful to others.
Thanks for helping out here.
--Bruce
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Squeaking faucet handle on bathroom sink
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2015, 06:04:42 pm »
And thank you Bruce!  I finally got a quiet faucet! 

Sue
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