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Author:
Bob_M (CA)
Hi,
My shower diverter has been leaking a little around the handle so I decided to change the stem today and really managed to screw it up. I removed the handle and the escutcheon - the latter was the type that screws directly on. The stem nut is quite a bit smaller than I have seen before, and there does not appear to be a packing nut at all. I used a stem wrench to try to undo the nut, and the smallest one I had fit (21/31) but not that well and I rounded the nut off. I then tried to get it off with channel locks and vice grips and ended up destroying it of course. I have gotten a pretty darn good grip on it a few times and I was surprised it didn't give. I figured maybe our hard water has frozen it in place so I squirted a little vinegar on it but that didn't help, of course I can't even see a seam at the bottom of the nut so I doubt it could get in there. I have even tried using a small chisel and hammer to try to dislodge it but no dice. I should mention that this setup is mounted on the horizontal on the border of a whirlpool tub. The shower is handheld. There's an access panel so I can see the diverter from underneath (and how incredibly difficult it would be to remove the whole thing). I can't find anything with the brand on it. I put a couple photos of it on photobucket in case that's helpful. If anyone could help me I'd be very grateful. At this point I may actually have to (gasp) call a plumber and he will laugh at me.
Thank you!
Bob
[photobucket.com]
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Author:
packy
i'm guessing that the stem seperates right where the larger thread starts???
try a 10" pipe wrench right at the smooth round surface.
careful not to damage the threads.
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
A 10" pipe wrench will work if you can hold the diverter from underneath, otherwise I'm afraid you'll destroy the piping leading to and from the diverter.
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Author:
Bob_M (CA)
When you say where the larger thread starts, you mean between that tiny thread section above it (I'm not even sure why that's there) and the big threaded section at the bottom (which goes all the way into the pipe below)? Re ruining the pipes, I did undo a large flat retaining nut at the base of the thing, and there's another one on the underside holding it. So I think those would prevent torquing the pipes.
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Author:
hj
Normally, it would separate between the two threaded sections, but there should also have been some sort of "flats" to put a wrench on. That may be what you destroyed. Unless, and until, you can discover the make and model of the faucet, you probably should not go any further, because you could damage it to the point where your faucet will be unusable until a new piece is installed.
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Author:
hj
The "smooth round surface" is tapered so a pipe wrench will probably not work WITHOUT damaging the threads.
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Author:
hj
The large thread is to secure the faucet to the deck. The small thread is to screw the "flange" onto.
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Author:
Bob_M (CA)
by the flange you mean the escutcheon thing? It is screwed onto the large thread. But maybe the small one is for a more recessed option. Yes, the smaller part at the top used to have flats and I destroyed them. I'm guessing a pipe wrench would do more of the same?
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Author:
hj
It will destroy the threads, but if nothing screws to them, it will be okay. Some faucets from that manufacturer probably DO use the smaller thread for the trim ring.
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Author:
Bob_M (CA)
well I took the stem out of the hot water faucet to see if I could figure out the make. It came right out with a wrench. Obviously the flats used on this don't fit the tools (those open-ended pipe style stem removers) that I used, that was my first mistake. It came out relatively easily though so I'm not sure why the diverter is so stuck. Anyway I couldn't find the make still but I posted a picture of the stem and you can see what the nut part looked like before i destroyed it.
[photobucket.com]
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Author:
hj
That stem's appearance is so "generic" that we would need several measurements from to even narrow it down to a couple of manufacturers. The overall length, the diameter of the thread and its "pitch", the diameter of the bottom and its length, and the number of splines for the handle, are just some of the variables.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
Bob_M (CA)
Well, I finally got it out with the 10" pipe wrench and managed not to damage the threads. Thank you!!!
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