Fellas - I have to go fix a leaky shower valve for my folks this weekend. I don't have the exact model of the valve, but I know it's the standard builder's version of the Symmons Temptrol - hopefully shown at the top of this page temptrol-logo.jpg" class="bbcode" border="0" />

This valve is probably from the late 1980s, and it won't shut fully, just drips from the tub faucet. So it's most likely a cartridge or washer issue. I can't get there before the weekend, so I'm afraid I won't have enough time to get there, pull it, find the issue (if it's a cartridge or oring/washer) and replace while supply houses are open. Which probably means a full off-the-shelf big box replacement. I'm fine if that's the case, was just hoping to see if you had any tips for what might usually fail on a 20 year old valve like this.

Any chance I would have any luck going to my local supply house and getting a replacement stem/cartridge without being there to pull the old one first, or have they changed this product too much over the last 20 years to chance this? Thanks as always



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Find yourself a Symmons Master Stocking Distributor and no problems.

Best Wishes

Big Reg,
The parts I most commonly replace are:
TA-10 Spindle
TA-4 Seats
TA-25A Diverter/Volume Spindle on tub/showers
or, the
TA-25B Volume Spindle on showers



I can't think of the last time I had to replace the T-16 Packing they usually are fine after adjusting.
If the packing has leaked and the unit has a metal handle it will be hopelessly fused to the end of the TA-10 spindle and you will need a new T-21 handle. If the handle doesn't come off I usually just rock it back and forth with a pair of channel locks and the end of the spindle snaps right off.

Make sure that the valve is full open before trying to take the T-12A cap off or reinstalling it.

The seats require a special wrench to take them out. the Symmons # is T-35A & T-35B
I use a tool made by Raven Products It is a 4 in one tool pictured below.
I'm pretty sure One Stop or Main would have it.
Raven Products # SYMM/TOOL



Is the water at the house where the valve is municipal or, well?

Another thing you could do I'm pretty sure that both big blue and ornge stock this is upgrade the trim. They have the Symmons Allura chome trim set for about $50.



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Thanks Red, awesome details. The house is on muni water. I have a feeling we might just be cutting out to replace with a new unit & trim like you mentioned.

Can you get a fully assembled replacement spindle at supply houses, or do you generally have to put 'em together 1 o-ring at a time?

They are available fully assembled Part # TA-10.
They come with a new gasket for the T-12A Cap.
Both Main & One Stop should have you covered...

It should be fine for rebuilding.
The only ones I have ever had trouble with have been on funky wells.

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Hey Red, thanks for the help on this. Yes One Stop had everything I needed, he even loaned me the seat removal tool. Very good experience.

You were dead-on about the handle being corroded and fused to the stem. The seats were so ground down from months of over-tightening that I couldn't even grab them with the tool, though. So we wound up cutting out and replacing the valve anyway. So it took a little extra time, but still not that bad of a job.

Glad to hear you got r done!
Bummer the seats wouldn't come out.
I usually only see that on well water.

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Yeah, they have really hard water. All sorts of crusty stuff built up on the cold part of the stem.