18706-12 Fleck Plastic Yoke/Manifold for Fleck 5600 and 5800 3/4in Male (FL18706-12)

The 18706-12 is the plastic yoke, or manifold, that connects a Fleck 5600 or 5800 control valve to its bypass and household pipework via 3/4in male threaded ports. Moulded to withstand chlorinated mains water and everyday mineral scale, it's the fitting that carries the full inlet and outlet connection and is retained to the valve body with a pair of clips. This is the part to fit when a leak appears between the bypass and valve body on a Fleck 5600 or 5800 softener or filter, and it's stocked by WrekinWater.

Technical specifications

Symptoms that mean you need this part

• Water leaking or weeping from the joint between the bypass valve and the control valve body
• The yoke is cracked or split, often after over-tightening the retaining clips during a bypass swap
• New o-rings won't seal because the yoke's sealing face is worn, scored or pitted
• Retaining clips won't hold the yoke to the valve because the clip channel is damaged or has spread

Why it fails / why it matters

The yoke carries the full mains pressure and the weight of the pipework connection between the bypass valve and the Fleck control valve body, sealed with o-rings and held with spring clips. Because it's disconnected every time the bypass or valve head is serviced, the plastic can crack from over-tightened clips or repeated flexing, and the o-ring sealing face wears with age, so a leak that persists after fitting new o-rings usually means the yoke itself needs replacing rather than just the seals.

Why buy this from WrekinWater

WrekinWater has supplied genuine and genuine-spec Fleck, Pentair, Autotrol and Clack components to installers and homeowners for over 15 years from its Bettisfield, Shropshire base (UK Company No. 11000488), helping more than 50,000 customers keep softeners and filters running rather than facing a full valve replacement. With stock ready to ship and an Excellent Trustpilot rating, a persistent leak at the bypass connection doesn't have to mean downtime.

How to fit it

1. Isolate the softener at the bypass and shut off the mains supply before disconnecting any pipework
2. Release the retaining clips holding the yoke to the control valve body and bypass valve
3. Withdraw the old yoke and inspect the o-ring grooves and sealing faces for wear or debris
4. Fit new o-rings to the 18706-12 yoke and lubricate lightly with silicone grease
5. Push the yoke onto the control valve body and bypass, aligning the ports correctly
6. Refit the retaining clips, restore the mains supply, and check the joint for leaks in both bypass and service position