Tight hot water handle on Kohler Devonshire Widespread bathroom faucet

[Pickngrin]

Hi,
We had a Kohler Devonshire widespread faucet installed when our bathroom was professionally renovated four years ago. I've recently noticed that the hot water valve has had more resistance when I turn it. I looked up what to do about this, and following a video from Kohler, was able to finally remove the skirt. What I noticed is that the handle is difficult to turn even when removed from the faucet. This surprised me, as I was thinking the issue would likely be with the stem. Looking from the bottom, there is what appears to be an hex head screw deep inside (too deep for any of my hex wrenches to reach). Would slightly loosening this likely resolve my problem?

Thanks,
PnG

 

[WorthFlorida]

https://www.kohler.com/en/products/bathroom-faucets/shop-bathroom-sink-faucets/devonshire-widespread-bathroom-sink-faucet-with-lever-handles-394-4?skuId=394-4-CP

I think you're looking at the water hose. This would not cause your problem. See parts diagram #2. Replace the cartridge as nothing else would cause a hard to turn handle.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Pickngrin]

Thanks. It's not the water hose. I called Kohler Customer Support today. The service was great (pleasant, knowledgeable, and efficient). The rep I spoke with was also surprised that the handle itself had so much resistance. She is sending me a replacement handle and two cartridges.

 

[Pickngrin]

Update: I removed the valve from the vanity, adjusted that recessed hex screw a bit, reinstalled, and now the handle driven l functions properly, without excessive resistance. The parts from Kohler have not arrived yet and will be extras