Finding plate fixing screws and dual flush spring for discontinued cistern with flushplate

LisaGee

Hi all,
I got this item (below) installed in March 2018 and it mostly works fine. Somehow the plate fixing screws broke a couple years ago and I never got it fixed.

Now I'm trying to get it fixed and the vendor advised me the item is discontinued so they do not have spares for the plate fixing screws or the dual flush spring that I need. The plumber said it definitely matters which one you get, she can try a general universal one but these screws really vary. 

Is it possible for anyone to recommend a place to find spares for these? Or do I need to give up and find a flushing plate that will work with the cistern?

Premier Dual Flush Concealed WC Cistern with Wall Hung Frame - XTY005 Thanks much for your advice. Sincerely, Lisa

ThisIsWeird

Any chance of some pics as well, please?

FreeBear

Have you tried contacting Hudson Reed directly ?

They might be able to suggest a replacement part (possibly from the XTY008). If not, you might be able to find a jobbing engineer that could repair the part you have (I could possibly do it if you were local).

ThisIsWeird

Lisa, can you pinpoint the broken part, please?

LisaGee

Thanks all very much for your help and investigation, I very much appreciate your time and advice.

I'm not finding a way to reply directly to each so posting here in hopes that this works.

I hadn't realised Hudson Reed was the manufacturer and I was trying to find this. I originally purchased from Victorian Plumbing online. I saw another brand that also advertised the same number. Forgot the name but also could not find that manufacturer.

I will do photos of the actual items in the next comment. 

Here is a marked up version of the picture you showed me, thank you. Apologies for the writing. Not so good with writing using my mouse:

LisaGee

OK, here are the photos I took of the items listed. The big plastic screws go on either side of the square plastic thing - you can see the empty holes just here:

This is the back of the flush plate. You can see the big button is missing the metal spring (the actual plate is chrome-look plastic)

This is the screw that I think is not broken. The other one is broken in the middle where it looks like there is a missing thread but that's just how it's made:

In case it helps to know the sizes:


To show it's a round head. Google Lens thought it was a hex:


Ho

Hope this is helpful in figuring things out. Starting to wonder whether I should just consider a new flush plate and kit if it's too much to find the right little parts.

Thanks much for your input.

Sincerely,
Lisa

FreeBear

Screw looks to be a pretty coarse thread - Might have difficulty finding a replacement except direct from the manufacturer (could probably knock one up on my lathe)..

The spring - Again, probably only available from the manufacturer. Sods law says you'll have to buy the whole plate at an inflated price.

ThisIsWeird

Where is the broken-off part of the broken screw? Is it lost inside the backplate?

I think that bare middle bit could be a snap-off/cut section for when the screw is used on different thickness boxing around the cistern - say if the front was thick-clad instead of tiled.

What actually happens when you try and refit that screw? Does it simply not reach the back part? And, when you look at the back part that receives the screw, can you see the rest of that broken screw sticking out - could it be removed?

Annoying - as you have found, getting spare parts is going to be hard, and your best bet will likely to keep looking on eBay or similar for someone selling an unused kit. But - man - this is sooo DIYable; I can actually sense through my PC screen FreeBear chomping to get hold of this! Great wee project.

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: But - man - this is sooo DIYable; I can actually sense through my PC screen FreeBear chomping to get hold of this! Great wee project.

A minor engineering challenge, and I could possibly even do something with the spring (might have a strip of flat spring material). But lacking the time, unless I can do a trade. e.g. While I'm cutting metal, you dig up bamboo