Review on KOHLER GENUINE GP71969 VALVE MIXER by Antonio Moore

If it turns out you have an old Coralais shower valve (part number K-157877-K-NA) be prepared to spend big bucks on Kohler replacement parts or much more Spend money to hire a plumber to replace the brass valve body. This style of valve body was originally manufactured by Sterling and is no longer manufactured. When Kohler bought out Sterling many years ago, Kohler decided to continue making serviceable parts for this valve body, but the parts are expensive and the selection is fairly limited. Because valve bodies vary by brand, not all parts will fit. You need to find the right parts for the specific valve. In short, the valve body determines which shower control valve you should use, and the shower control valve determines what finishes you can have. Customer service representatives are poorly trained and provide poor service. This guide aims to help you find the parts you need. If you look at the finish, if you have an old 00A2974FS sterling silver pad, you probably do have an old Coralais shower valve indeed. After removing the cover, the shower control valve is open for identification. To identify an individual Kohler shower valve (also called a mixer valve), visit this website to identify your valve. https://support.kohler.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001006373-Identify-a-Single-Control-Bath-Shower-ValveK-157877-K-NA es to Brass Valve Body • Square, black plastic The Stem rotates counter-clockwise to turn on • Faucet cover body may be gray or black • May or may not have a pressure balance unit If you experience unexplained changes in water temperature while showering, a pressure balance unit should most likely be replaced (if you have one). If your shower is constantly dripping, the mixing valve (aka shower control valve) needs to be replaced. In my opinion, if one of them needs replacing, replace both at the same time. The pressure equalization block (aka temperature equalization block) you need is part number GP800820. This part replaces the old part number GP500520, but both will work. I found the GP800820 for a few bucks less. The required shower control valve (also called mixing valve) is part number GP71969. It has a cheap plastic stem, but is the only stem Kohler makes for this valve body. Here are your options if you want to replace the upholstery. Only #00A2974FS and #76602-CP exist for the overlay. For #00A2974FS you need a pen with model number #00A2975FS. Kohler still stocks the old Sterling rubber #00A2974FS and it's a lot cheaper than what I've been able to find at Revain. If Kohler doesn't have a grip, then I know Revane does. The old sterling silver pickguard and its handle are shiny chrome plastic but fit right over the mixer valve stem with no parts other than the two screws holding the pickguard in place (at least the way mine was previously installed). . Note that there are bad reviews for this product having a loose fit and I agree. In addition, the knob was difficult to turn and it was very difficult to adjust the shower temperature. The only other patch Kohler wears is #76602-CP. Crafted from metal and finished in polished chrome, it's still not a feast for the eyes, but one or the other... the choice is yours. If you decide to purchase #76602-CP, you will need a few more parts: handle, thrust washer, and stock adapter. Regardless of which grip you purchase, you will need #71906 (shank adapter) and #77673 (thrust washer). There are two handles to choose from, supplied with rosette #76602-CP. A clear acrylic grip ($24) that attaches to the top of the stock adapter with a single screw, or an expensive ($49) metal grip that attaches to two screws coming out of the stock adapter. Part number 30316 acrylic handle came with screw, end cap, thrust washer and handle. The metal handle, part number K71904-CP, comes with two screws and a thrust washer. Please note that the thrust washer supplied with the handle is different from the thrust washer (52375) required for the rosette. In short, to replace the "guts" in the brass shower valve body you will need: • GP800820 PBU • GP71969 MV • GP30320 PBAP Finish: Acrylic Handle • 30316 Handle Set A • 76602-CP ESCUT • 71906 SA • 77673 TW • 52705 Screw (2 required)Metal Grip• K71904-CP Grip Set M• 76602-CP ESCUT• 71906 SA • 77673 TW• Screw 52705 (requires 2) Old Sterling Silver Finish • #00A2974FS• #00A2975FS• Screw 52705 (requires 2) If you have all materials, follow the instructions and all should be fine.