Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Hi,
I installed the silvia V2 steam wand on my New Baby Gaggia Dose and everything seems to fit just fine, but from time to time Ive noticed that there is water leaking from the ball joint. Once even the clip that holds the wand fell out of the ball joint. Is there anything that can be done to make every thong hold better and make a better seal within the ball joint?
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Hi all, now Ive got to 5
Im just trying this steam wand mod now - and not being very successful at it.
From coffeeparts, Ive got this arm
http://www.coffeeparts.com.au/parts/201054.jpg
and this adaptor
http://www.coffeeparts.com.au/parts/700056.jpg
Im finding that I cant screw the adaptor in hard enough to the nut at the end of the brass Gaggia steam outlet (where the old Gaggia wand used to easily screw in). Because the steam outlet nut is fairly flush with the housing, I cant get a spanner in there to brace it, and so all of the torque from screwing it in is taken on joint between the nut and the copper steam line - which will bust it if I turn too hard. As a result, its springing leaks from the joint.
I opened up the top of the machine and looked in and its hard to get a spanner in there to brace the brass Gaggia nut on the end of the steam line - Id need to take the whole steam line out, which is firmly bolted in and I dont really want to play with it.
Second - how on earth does anyone get the water tank out with a Silvia arm? Its right in the way!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
B00sting, did you ever solve this problem? I have the same problem with my newly bought (used) Gaggia Classic. The original steam wand have a metallic panarello and a soldered adapter for this in one end and a small "ring" in the end which attach to the machine.Originally posted by 64161655524F4841260 link=1126833848/139#139 date=1237334575Here is what I mean, the nut cant slide off past this bit (which I have tried to remove with pliers):
I also think the male adapter that is attached to the steam wand (that screws into the machine) is smaller then on newer machines? Unsure if it would fit on the Rancilio Silvia replacement?
Does anyone have made this mod on a older Gaggia Classic with this kind steam wand (with a metallic panarello)?
I would hate to destroy the old steam wand by cutting it and later discover it would be impossible to fit the new Rancilio steam wand... :P
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Great mod, highly recommended!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Solved: the hexagonal tip unscrews. I used an adjustable spanner and a bit of paper kitchen towel to get it off. The machines now all back together and finally I have microfoam!!!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Hi there, having thought it was impossible to fit a replacement steam wand to the Baby, I read your post and instantly pulled mine apart. The new wand has now arrived but as far as I can see theres no way of getting the large nut off it (or refitting the plastic 3-pronged connector) as theres the raised bump at the top and the hexagonal tip at the bottom. Does the hexagonal tip come off?
Many thanks, Adam
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Not to revive an old thread, but i came along the same issue with the gaggias with the ball join.Originally posted by 3C362334343B2F295A0 link=1126833848/113#113 date=1214864546In addition to the above, I decided I would have to answer my own question and it appears that a Silvia steam wand mod wont work for my Gaggia Baby machine, or any Gaggia with a ball-jointed steam wand.
Unless someone has further suggestions I will have to get using the Gaggia steam wand. I checked Coffee Parts in the hope that I could replace the ball joint with the steam valve attachment from a Gaggia Class or Silvia but it doesnt seem possible. The steam valve on my Gaggia sit son top of the boiler with a hose connected to the ball joint
Here is a picture:
After a little while of figuring out how the connection works, I managed to get the silvia wand on and working quite nicely (literally just did it, will try with milk in about half)
Its not as straight forward as the original install, but what needs to be done is the following.
1. Get your silvia steam wand from your preferred supplier)
2. Remove from new wand the large bolt, two small plastic washers, steel washer and rubbery bit in the middle
3. Take the top off your Gaggia (in my case a Baby Dose)
4. Unscrew the 2 mount joints for the steam wand
5. For ease thread the current Gaggia Steam wand through the hole that you unscrewed.
- First remove the panerello attachment and all plastic parts from the Gaggia Wand to get it to fit through the hole
6. On the ball joint, the are three prongs holding the steel wand in place. Using a screwdriver unclip those prongs and with a bit of luck the steel wand should come of with the connector.
7. Since the Gaggia wand is now off, replace with the Silvia wand. Take the connector with the 3 prongs and slide it up (bottom to top) of the wand so the connector is flush with the petruding steel bit of the wand.
8. Push the connector back into the ball joint and the wand should clip back into place
9. Thread the new silvia wand through the hold and then reattach the two mounting screws.
10. Pop the top back on.
11. Give it a test run.
Happy Steaming !!
And proof haha:

Happy to field any questions, or if there is a lot of interest, Ill try to redo it with pictures. Currently the lil gaggia is too hot to pull apart
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of yea sayers. Drinking the first long mac after performing this mod on my Classic, and it is a treat. Very simple, straight forward switch thanks to all of the advice above, and I too had no need for sanding -- new arm slipped straight in, no leaks, and good movement.
The difference in frothing cant be overstated.
A tip when buying the Silvia arm -- I went to Coffee Parts also, and they offer both the pre- and post- 2008 arms. You want the earlier one (as I think someone pointed out earlier, V1/2, not V3), and helpfully their website points this out.
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
I just received mine today from Di Bartoli, cant wait to install it when I get home.
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
I just got my Silvia steam wand and adapter from Coffee Parts. Easy to install and the difference in frothing is huge. I couldnt believe how big a difference this has made to my machine. Id really recommend peopel go out and switch their steam wands over.
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
I got mine from Di Bartoli in sydney, and would be surprised if they didnt ship to USA, but you would need to confirm with them.
That is a good point above that you need an older model rancilio wand, apparently the newer ones are different so wouldnt fit.
The screw fitting is different between the rancilio (14mm female)and gaggia (10mm male) - measured with a cheap vernier caliper so may be slightly out.
My wand arrived with an adapter already fitted. You can make the wand fit without an adapter by removing the screw fittings from the two wands and putting the gaggia one onto the rancilio. In my case that would involve taking a hacksaw to the gaggia wand.
Here is a picture of the two side by side, no adapter as that is firmly installed on my gaggia.

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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Boston - I got mine from Stefanos - "Steam wand silvia pre 09" 10049046 for my Evolution. I have no idea whether you will need an adapter for the Classic.Originally posted by 7970647F7268110 link=1126833848/204#204 date=1294724352Hey guys,
Thanks for the great guide.
One questions though - I am having trouble finding this wand. I am in the USA anyone have a link to somewhere I can buy it that will ship to the USA (and not kill on shipping if possible)?
Also, I will be installing it on a Gaggia Classic like many of you have, do I need a conversion kit? I saw other guides of people just using the wand only and it working just fine.
Thanks!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Hey guys,
Thanks for the great guide.
One questions though - I am having trouble finding this wand. I am in the USA anyone have a link to somewhere I can buy it that will ship to the USA (and not kill on shipping if possible)?
Also, I will be installing it on a Gaggia Classic like many of you have, do I need a conversion kit? I saw other guides of people just using the wand only and it working just fine.
Thanks!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Worked beautifully! Many many thanks!!!
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Re: Gaggia Steam Wand Replacement Mod
Great thread! Has anyone actually tried the V3 (articulated) Silvia steam arm? (I know the V1/V2 one works.
Thanks!
(this is for an Evolution)
EDIT: scratch that - it wont. I just had it all apart and realized my mistake.
In the meantime, however, I , in my impatience, bent my original wand, or rather, kindof straightened it out, so at an angle, it will easily do my 8oz frothing pitcher. I hammered lightly around the end of the opening and actually got the hole down to about the size of the black plastic tip thing that I had been using. I tried it in water and it seemed to have tremendous gusto. So looking forward to trying it tomorrow AM! If it works, this will placate me until I can get the silvia V1/V2 wand (about a week). Also thanks for the great idea about switching the steam on, waiting for 15 secs (mine goes about 32 secs until light on) and starting steaming.
More EDIT: ;D Steaming this AM was as folks here desctibe - bounteous microfoam - though the little straightened wand is too short to straighten the cup at the end, it worked out fine and will do for a week. Huge thanks to all you CoffeeSnobs!!!
Kris in the colonies (Boston)
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