I have a 3 knob shower control setup and the hot and cold are currently leaking water. I would like to remove them and fix the problem, but I can not get them off.

I took the center screws out, pulled, wiggled, pried, sprayed with WD-40, tapped with a hammer and they won't budge. If I pull any harder, I am going to pull the plumbing right through my tile wall.

I am at my wits end and ready to either break out the reciprocating saw on the controls or start popping tiles.

Any suggestion would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

speedball1

If you're having trouble getting the handles off than a handle puller, (see image) may be purchased from most plumbing supply houses.
If it's the stem and washer assembles are what's giving you a hard time then unscrew the large nut and back the stem out counterclockwise. I've put up a three handle shower valve to help you. good luck, Tom