The lever the barista picks up a hundred times a day
On the LEVA, steam is controlled by a lever. It is the control that gets touched most – and the only one where you can see with the naked eye how many shifts a machine has behind it. This one is the right-hand lever, part number C.1.349.DX.
It wears from the outside and the inside at the same time. On the outside, hands rub the surface bare, while milk splashes and cleaning agents attack the finish. On the inside, the pivot point is at work: at some point the lever wobbles sideways, no longer stands straight after being released or travels unevenly along its path. At the latest when it feels different from the lever on the other side, it is time.
When it is due
Replace the lever when it is visibly bent or no longer in line with its counterpart. When the bearing bore is worn out and the lever has noticeable play. When the surface is so worn that it no longer looks presentable in a café. When it catches or scrapes when operated. And of course if it has ever taken a hard knock – a cracked lever will eventually break exactly when there is steam pressure.
At a glance
| Type |
Operating lever, right-hand version |
| Installation location |
Steam valve chamber of the lever group, right side |
| Fits |
La Marzocco LEVA |
| Scope of delivery |
One lever, right |
| Part number |
C.1.349.DX |
| Version |
Right (DX). The left-hand version is a separate part. |
| Installation |
Installation by a specialist recommended |
| Brand |
La Marzocco |
Important for installation
The lever itself is purely mechanical, but it sits on a chamber that carries steam. That is why we do not provide step-by-step instructions. Disconnect the machine from the mains, depressurise it, let it cool down – and leave the job to a specialist. If you have the chamber open anyway, check the pin in the pivot point at the same time: a new lever on a worn pin will have play again after a short time.
Who it is for
For cafés where the LEVA stands in the guest area and should look the part. And for anyone who has taken over a used LEVA and wants to bring the controls to a uniform standard.
What goes with it
The same chamber holds the pin for the LEVA steam valve chamber, next to it the right-hand bracket for the steam valve. For the brew group of the LEVA there are also the compression springs. All LEVA parts under La Marzocco LEVA spare parts, the rest of the range in the Service parts section.
From our workshop in Bern and Zurich
Our own routine, not a manufacturer's specification: on a two-group LEVA, we almost always replace steam levers in pairs, even if only one is worn. Not for technical reasons – but because a new and an old lever side by side are immediately noticeable, and because the barista would then have two different lever actions in their hands. Afterwards, a test drink with milk: we like to use Nutty Delight for this, which comes through with nutty notes in a cappuccino. For the chocolatey option Cozy Chocolate, for strong milk drinks Very Nutty. Everything under Coffee beans.
Returns excluded
Service parts are excluded from exchange and return. They are sourced specifically for each order and cannot be resold after being installed or test-fitted on the machine. So before ordering, check the model, year of manufacture and serial number of your machine – or send us a quick message and we will check the fit together. Your rights in the case of defective goods remain unaffected.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the left or the right lever?
The right one. Part number C.1.349.DX stands for the right-hand version; the left-hand one is a separate part with its own number.
Is the valve chamber included?
No. Only the lever is supplied. Pin, bracket and valve are separate items.
Does it fit every LEVA?
The controls have changed over the years of manufacture. Send us the serial number and we will check the fit before you order.
Can I replace it myself?
It sits on a steam-carrying chamber. We recommend installation by a specialist and do not provide installation instructions.
Can I see the part in your showroom?
Yes. In Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zurich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Bring the old lever with you and we will compare them directly.
Questions about the fit? Write to us at [email protected]. We deliver across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2-4 working days.
