A Grohe single lever faucet that drips with the lever off, has a gritty or stiff lever, or will not hold the lever in position needs a new SilkMove cartridge. There are three sizes. Measure the outside diameter of the old cartridge body with calipers: about 28 mm (1 1/8 inch), 35 mm (1 3/8 inch), or 46 mm (1 13/16 inch). The sizes are not interchangeable.
Before you start. Shut off the two small valves under the sink by turning them clockwise, then open the faucet to confirm the water has stopped. Plug the drain so small parts cannot fall in. You will need a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench or pliers, and for most handles a hex key (an Allen wrench, sold as an inexpensive set at any hardware store). If a shutoff valve will not turn or starts to drip, or anything is corroded and will not loosen with moderate force, stop and see when to call a plumber. New to this? Start here explains the parts and tools in plain language.
Not sure this is your faucet? See how to identify your Grohe cartridge without a model number, or how to find your brand and model.
Parts and tools
- The cartridge by size: 46048000 at Grohe.us (46 mm), 46374000 at Grohe.us (35 mm), 46580000 at Grohe.us (28 mm). 46048000 at Home Depot. 46374000 at Home Depot
- 3 mm hex key (some handles use 2.5 mm) for the lever fixing screw and the cartridge screws
- 34 mm socket for the retaining nut on 35 mm cartridges (Grohe’s tool is 19332000; a 34 mm deep socket works)
- Calipers
Shut off hot and cold and open the lever to relieve pressure.
Steps (Grohe’s procedure, from the Ladylux 33759 sheet)
- Remove the lever fixing screw with the 3 mm hex key and pull the lever off. There is no red and blue cap to pry on Grohe kitchen levers; the screw is exposed or behind a plug.
- Rotate the cap 180 degrees so its slot faces up, then pull the cap off.
- On 46 mm cartridges, remove the adjusting lever screw and the small lever if present, then the cartridge screws, and lift the cartridge out. On 35 mm cartridges, unscrew the retaining nut with the 34 mm socket and lift the cartridge out.
- Measure the old cartridge if you have not already confirmed the size.
- Seat the seals of the new cartridge in the grooves of the body. Set the cartridge in the correct orientation; the 46048 has a locating feature and the install sheet shows the position.
- Tighten the cartridge screws evenly in a cross pattern (46 mm), or snug the retaining nut (35 mm).
- Refit the cap with its slot down, the lever, and the fixing screw. Open the water and test.
Flow limiter
The 46048 has an adjustable flow limiter set during the first three steps of the same procedure. Grohe advises against using it with tankless (instantaneous) water heaters, which need full flow to fire.
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