Gaggia Cubika disassembly

oflahero

Howdy all. I've been googling like a mofo on this, but can only find info regarding the Classic. Trying to replace the group gasket seal on the Cubika, but after removing the shower screen, I'm stumped as to what to do next. On the Classic, you undo the two 5mm Allen in order to remove the holding plate, but not so on this machine. Pic below. Can I actually just reef out the seal now, or does something else have to be unscrewed first? Ta if anyone's already been down this road...

http://i.imgur.com/QnJfa.jpg

Curry Addict

i havent done this but looking at the pic i would try removing the center hex nut to remove the center circular metal disk which is likely to be banked against the group seal and thus will release it to be removed easily.

Gran Hermano

Have a look at the pdfs on the following site:
http://www.partsguru.com/GaggiaCubika.html

oflahero

Thanks chaps. I was hoping not to have to get a large socket wrench out for the job, seems a little overkill for the situation.

The parts schematic on that website is useful, but it seems that there are differences in the filter holder between the Cubika and the Essence, so the exploded diagram isn't quite accurate for the Cubika around the group gasket.

Knowing my luck, I'll take out the hex nut and hear the tinkle of tiny metal parts that were held on by it disappear into the bowels of the machine, never to be seen again!

shaneclon

You have to remove the portafilter cradle to get at the seal to replace. At the rear of your cubika, there are 2 small phillips screws, remove them. This allows you to take of the top cover. Remove this.
Looking down into the machine, there are 4 hex bolts that hold the portafilter cradle in place - remove these. When you remove the last one the portafilter cradle will drop out, exposing the seal - pretty simple to remove at this point, without having to remove shower screen assembly - a little confusing, as its completely different from the Gaggia Classic, but thats how its done - hope this helps!

oddsoxrocks

When I've had to replace the group seal in the past, I've just turned the machine upside down and used a screw to lever out the old group seal. Cleaned it out and replaced it with a new one by guiding it in using a screwdriver.

oflahero

Dragging up this old thread just to post a horrible warning. Typically if I so much as brandish a screwdriver at a machine, it will spontaneously burst into flames, or worse. I have just continued in this great tradition by comprehensively borking my Cubika.

If you are tempted to really clean the inside out by removing the nut underneath the shower screen, then BE AWARE THAT IT MUST NOT BE RE-TIGHTENED ANY MORE THAN SNUGLY. I found this out the hard way, as it sheared apart - the nut and the threading housing for the spring and shower screen screw (i.e. it holds the whole shebang together.)

Even better, don't bother taking it off at all. My machine is now fubarred, as the main threaded bit is now completely stuck in the main body. Stick to wiping down what you can under the shower screen, and as someone posted above, the gasket can be replaced without taking anything off at all.

How it ought to look:


Post cock-up (you can see the thin metal where it sheared apart on the underside of the nut at the left):