Installing a Rebuild Kit for a Woodford Model 17 Hydrant

This hydrant is starting to drip all the time, so I bought a rebuild kit- let’s go ahead and fix it.
After I shut off the water in the building, I removed the handle- It’s just a flat-head screw.
I used a crescent wrench to loosen the packing nut.
I temporarily screwed the handle back on and then turned it counterclockwise until the threads released at the back of the hydrant.
At this point I can pull it towards me to remove the entire assembly.
Next, I removed the old rubber packing and washer.
Then on the other end I used pliers to remove the check valve.
Finally, I removed retainer screw that holds the rubber valve seat on- I had to use a screwdriver to pry out the old valve seat.
To reassemble, I slid on the new check valve from the kit.
You can see how hard and misshaped the old valve seat is- this is most likely why it was leaking.
I put the retaining screw through the new valve seat and reattach it with the flat side of the valve down.
At this point I can slide the whole assembly back in.
Once it was in place, I reattached the handle and turned it clockwise till the hydrant was shut.
Then I removed the handle one more time.
Now I put on the new packing washer and slipped on the rubber packing.
I thread on the packing nut – you don’t have to go overboard tightening this down, just snug it up with a crescent wrench.
I reattached the handle, turned the water to the building back on, and checked that everything was working.
So, let me know in the comments would you hire a plumber or do this repair yourself? ‪@hausplans‬

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