Subject: Re: [airstream] Plumbing problems.
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 20:04:14 -0600
From: Charlie/Betty Burke burke@micron.net
Reply-To: airstream@h2eau.net
Radar wrote:
Ultimately, the best quality for the dollar replacement is plastic with what are called Flair It fittings. As for plastic line the industry has evolved through several iterations. Early on black plastic was used. Shortly afterwards nearly everyone changed to polybutelyne (aka Quest) with gray line and fittings. This system with minor variations using copper fittings was
predominate until 1997. Then the change to cross linked polystyrene (aka Quest Pex) began. Quest Pex is a milky white color or more recently it's been seen in red and blue colors. Fittings are commonly metal with some manufacturers using Flair It. Flair It fittings are solid white plastic and are installed
by hand with no special tools or crimps required. It is possible to use Flair It in places you can only get one hand. For those folks faced with replacing the valve or plumbing on any rear bath tub/shower with the fixture on the outboard side of the bathroom here is a trade secret from the Airstream service manual. Remove the knob and trim plate and hardware on the inside of the fixture. Attach a length of twine or equivalent to the fixture and push it into the wall. Access the plumbing from the appropriate side of the trunk. This may require removing cover plates on some models. Determine the two lines that feed the tub/shower fixture. (their loose now) Sweat them loose, carefully maneuver the plumbing with fixture attached through the space
between the outside wall and the tub/shower. Once repaired, using the twine as a guide pull the fixture with plumbing attached back into place.
Charlie