Removing 1/4 turn Ceramic Cartridge from Howdens mixer tap

[Mayo]

Any suggestions welcome...Howdens Lamona kitchen tap has started leaking badly (few weeks out of warranty of course) Howdens suggested a brand new £150 tap so thought how hard can it be!! I've got a new ceramic cartridge, removed the tap handle and collar and now have access to the cartridge but cannot unscrew it. It's not a normal hex nut so can't get a spanner or socket on it. I can't get enough torque with adjustable spanner without damaging the nut. Are there any tricks to solving this challenge (tried WD40 too)? Thanks in advance...

[wine~o]

I don't know about the lamorna tap specifically, most will just need a bit of gentle persuasion with an adjustable spanner and a hammer.

You don't necessarily need to replace the lamorna with another lamorna. plenty of good quality kitchen taps available.

[Timllfixit]

Is it one of those with two flats cutouts on it? You can buy a tool, but it must be possible to make one with two suitable sized metal tubes( one inside the other) a file and some elbow grease!

[Mayo]

It is one of those round ones with two sides cut out. I have not found a tool to undo it and the mole grips etc are damaging the nut a lot. Hammer not worked either. This must be possible but beginning to reach the end of my tether!!

[Dave54]

Don't know if this helps, but this site here
http://www.tap-spares.com/kitchen-taps/howdens
lists parts for the various types of "Lamona" taps.
If you click on the particular tap, you'll get a page listing the spares. Under the drawing it says "View as a PDF" or similar.
There is an exploded diagram, and instructions to change parts.

Sometimes something like a strip cut off a bicycle inner tube, or a big rubber band wrapped around can give you the grip to move stubborn shrouds and other chrome parts. The parts need to be clean and dry. It can also protect them if you need to use grips etc.

[Timllfixit]

"Sometimes something like a strip cut off a bicycle inner tube, or a big rubber band wrapped around can give you the grip to move stubborn shrouds and other chrome parts. The parts need to be clean and dry. It can also protect them if you need to use grips etc.

I have a bit of old cam belt I use.

You might be able to make a tool from a piece of tube with two parts filed away, to leave tabs to fit into your "slots"

Depending on what surrounds the tap, as an ABSOLUTE last ditch attempt, you could try "warming" the tap with a hot air gun and using a old screwdriver or punch with a hammer to see if you can persuade it to undo. Seals and rubber parts would be at risk of course.
I had something similar recently, and I gave up after two hours and got a new tap. It was actually quicker to fit a new one than it was mucking around with the old one. Mrs. didn't mind as we went to Howdens and she chose one of those with the swirly head.

[Mayo]

Thank all for the suggestions. Wife has had enough of only cold water in the kitchen so I've been forced to outsource the problem!! New tap coming soon... defeat... at least I've added some nifty tools to the toolbox!!