GERBER PLUMBING 98-709 98709 Gerber Tub and Shower Ceramic Disc Cartridge, Cold-133759

Good

This cartridge worked very well in replacing a 1964 vintage Gerber stem with washer. I did have to remove the seat and that took a little bit of leverage and the right tool. One other note of caution is that the tolerance is very tight and you need to make sure that you remove all of the washers that come with the previous stem. (and I'm referring to the old washer that goes around the area where the stem screws into the fixture). When I first installed the cartridge, it would not completely shut off. I removed it and scraped the old washer from around the opening and then tightened it back up. One other note of caution is that the new valve stem also has washers that fit against the seat opening. For some reason, perhaps the loose clearance at first, they came off and I had to put them back in. so make sure they are snug when you are installing it. But after removing the seat, and the debris that was preventing contact with the valve seat opening, it worked perfectly! And mine did come with a white plastic washer around the stem assembly. I think that is essential.

Stems came without instructions and main large washer. I couldn't remove old faucet seats as suggested in other reviews. My seats have been ground flat enough to allow installation though. New handles in new stems extend further out from wall than the diverter, about 1/4 inch. No apparent leaks where stems screw into fixture. Stems difficult to tighten because main nut faces are inside the finished tile wall. I used a 1/2 drive deep socket to hand tighten. As another reviewer said you need to tighten the handle shaft gland nuts because they aren't tight when shipped.

Worked perfectly as a replacement. I could not find in several local stores, and took a chance on this even though the photos and description were incomplete and left we wondering if I made the correct choice.

You must remove brass seat. (As stated by Gerber.) Maybe? Possibly grind down brass seat if stuck? But If you leave intact seat on.It will not make waterproof seal, it will leak. The blue or Red silicone gasket on ceramic cartridge must compress against valve body. Sometimes the seat can be a bear to remove. I used seat wrench, Pb blast spray, & hammered in & slowly turned. Be patient took me 15 minutes. It rounded out. ( See YouTube for removal of stuck faucet seats.) Blue gasket is for cold side. Red is for hot side. Picture of old seat next to new . The Gerber valve is from 1960s or 1970s. From compression stems that you must replace the rubber gaskets every 1-2 years. To now a ceramic unit that should be leak free for 10-12 years. I love it! Also go to YouTube (Archive-Gerber faucet cartridge.) He states because machining of valve body wasn’t precise. Gerber cannot guarantee fit of ceramic cartridge to retrofit valve prior to year 1990. “but should fit” Luckily mine did I had to really tighten down. Good luck