Can anyone help me get the pin out of my lever (tried to tap it out with a blunt set and a small hammer.. no luck). Also, I'm trying to source V-seals for a Gaggia Italcrem (three seals and spanish gaggia).

While trying to find a picture of your machine, I did come across this link:

http://store.coffeestuff.com/gaggiaitalcrem1.html

I would also ask Doug and Barb at Orphan Espresso

Bill has just done a seal change on his, I'm sure he'll be along in a minute with words of wisdom. In the meantime, heres me ramblings:

1. 3x lip seals. I am 90% sure that faema lip seals will fit. They tend to fit many different makes. I guess everyone coppied the faema piston diameter. Vanelis sell them.
2. Don't need to remove piston to do seals. However, if you want to replace the spring (or strip to clean and re-grease): with spring compressed (I sometimes use clamps; Bill had a great idea using rachet ties...), hold the shaft across the flat (at the top of the spring) using a spanner. Use a 'c' wrench* to unscrew the piston from the shaft.

*this is what they're called here. I hope you know what I mean. A hand tool, the end is shaped like 'C'. Part of the C is articulated and tightens when force is applied. I would probably make one with pins to match the piston. There was probably a factory tool.

good luck.

Thanks Paul.

I know my group is a bit different than Bill's. Also, I'm aware I don't need to disassemble to change seals, though would like to place a new spring as well as the seals. The seals are part numbers F.45 or F.1389. Are those Faema part numbers? All other part numbers are G.xx etc. Needless to say, I got her pretty clean while I was messing around and pulled some great shots.

Paul wrote:Use a 'c' wrench* to unscrew the piston from the shaft.

*this is what they're called here. I hope you know what I mean. A hand tool, the end is shaped like 'C'. Part of the C is articulated and tightens when force is applied. I would probably make one with pins to match the piston. There was probably a factory tool.

Also called a pin wrench or pin spanner, not all are hinged. There are standard (DIN1810A and 1810B I think) combinations of pin size (diameter or rectangular dimensions) and nut/piston diameter that do not necessarily match what ancient coffee-machine-making Italians (and possibly also Spaniards) did. I have no idea what this piston looks like, but if it doesnt seem to match the available fixed pin wrenches look at the adjustable ones. I have a 35-60mm adjustable pin wrench that fits my 50 something mm diameter piston because the 3mm round hole in the side of the piston is smaller than the 5mm diameter hole specified for a 50mm nut diameter by current standards.