The above pictured stem is the hot side on an older bathtub. Both the cold and hot leak around the handles when the water is on and usually drip when off. I removed the handle and the chrome cover that threads on but can't figure out how to remove the stem so that I can replace the washer and seat. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.

Put a wrench on the 2 parallel flats and turn counterclockwise.

Thank you. I am an @#$%&.

no, you would ba an @#$%&. if you went full steam ahead and busted something behind the wall.
remember, there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers..

Your old tub appears to be a fiber glass type of tub so you may want to chip out the plaster around the stem bodies and make sure that is not another set of flats to unscrew. Remember to close your main water valve prior to attempting any of these repairs. Sometimes the body of the stem is larger and you may need to chip out more in order to remove it to replace the washer, if that is the type you are dealing with. You can only know after you chip out enough to see inside....this is not always easy and you may need to do it at night with your lights off so you can indeed see inside. What is on the other side of the tub, a wall or is it free standing. If a wall, you may want to install an inspection panel so you can access your tub valve. Good luck, I know working with this older stuff can be daunting.