Okay, my husband and I are not the handiest people in the world. We needed to replace a tub spout with diverter, as water was not coming out of the shower head. We bought a universal tub spout with diverter, the kind with a thread screw and retainer ring. We followed the directions to a T, and when we turn the shower on, we get water coming out of the shower head, but also from behind the tub spout. Can anyone tell me what we're doing wrong?

"We bought a universal tub spout with diverter, the kind with a thread screw and retainer ring." A thread screw and retainer ring? Please look at the pictures at this website http://www.plumbinglessons.com/sup/tubspoutdia.htm and let me know if the one you have is like one of the ones pictured. If it threads on (like a threaded pipe into a fitting) then you should remove it, put pipe joint compound on the male threads and screw it back on. If it hits the wall of the tub before it stops turning you may not have enough pipe end sticking out of the tub wall and have to get a different spout or extend the pipe. If it is not a threaded tub spout then it is a slip fit and you may need to remove it and take a closer look.
Darrel1953

Darrel: Thank you for your response. The spout we bought was the third picture on the left column. The pipe coming out of the wall has no threads on it and the old spout was a slip fit. I used the teflon tape as directed, and the new spout went all the way to the wall when screwed on. The water coming from the back of the spout is a slow dribble. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Was the pipe clean before you put on the new diverter?

Yes. I took great care to ensure that the pipe was clean, dry, and had no rough spots or burrs. Actually, I tested the spout when I came home from work and it seems to be working well without any leaks detected. I will keep an eye on it and if I have any further problems, I guess I will just have to start at square one.

I might have a answer for you. You have a chrome over high inpact plastic Allen Head Type Diverter Spout.
When you tighten down on the screw all it does is clamp the spout down on the copper stub out. What stops the water from getting out the back is a "O" ring located inside the clamp that fits over the copper pipe. My bet is that when you "tried" the spout out you
Rolledthe "O"ring out or just tore it. Replace the "O" ring and you're back in business. Good luck, Tom

If the o-ring has a 'nick' or tear in it then when you replace the o-ring try putting on a little liquid soap on the o-ring before you install the spout.