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lenmccart · Mar 8, 2008, 10:42 AM

Hello,

I have an OLD shower handle that is broken. I tried to turn off the hot water last night, but apparently broke something inside and now it won't turn off.

Here is a picture of what it looks like now: http://adamfwilson.googlepages.com/DSCF0581.JPG

The end of the extended piece (which I THINK is called the stem), has a number of straight splines. Turning this (with a small wrench) does not do anything.

How can I get that piece off... and how can I turn that particular facuet off so I can use hot water elsewhere in the house.

Thanks... and sorry for the rookie question!

Adam

massplumber2008 · Mar 8, 2008, 10:53 AM

Hi Lenmccart

Start by shutting off the water main (or shutoffs to tub/shower valve in basement? or may not be able to isolate...so do not do this until ready to commit to it and finish it), and then use a crescent wrench or similar and loosen the chrome sleeve that surrounds the STEM that is posted in your picture (release pressure from faucet by opening valve so will not suirt you when you pull the stem).

The sleeve has indents on it so you need to grab there to loosen by turning the sleeve counterclockwise. Hold against yourself a bit... and then loosen sleeve.

From there you should see a stem nut that will need to be loosened as well... not the first small nut (that is a packing nut), but the large nut holding the stem in (see picture below... stem should look like this or so)

Then rotate the stem assembly and should twist out with the stem nut. Then you will probably need to replace the washer... may even need to replace the SEAT... get back to us on progress you make and we will advise as you go.. ok? Talk soon... MARK

lenmccart · Mar 8, 2008, 11:27 AM

OK... I pulled the sleeve and stem out of the wall. And by looking inside, I think I understand how it works. Correct me if I am wrong.

The water comes up through the pipe, and if the stem is extended out, it seals off the hole... thus not letting the water get access to the shower head?

My problem is that I can't get the stem to extend out all the way. I can turn it clockwise forever and it won't extend enough to seal off that hole. If I press the stem in, or tap it with a hammer, it will seal off the hole (although I think the rubber washer on the inside of the sleeve is corrupted).

Why can't I extend the stem all the way out?

Thanks,
AFW

massplumber2008 · Mar 8, 2008, 11:36 AM

Stems do not usually pull forward to seal/stop water flow. If yours does, I am unclear what to say.

Regardless, like you said... some part broken or stripped. I would check with a local home supply store for replacement parts or a plumbing supply house. They should be familiar with the valve and can best advise you.

Let me know your thoughts... MARK

lenmccart · Mar 8, 2008, 12:07 PM

Mark,

I was able to "fix" the problem. I tightened the sleeve back into the wall... tightened the stem in real tight... tightened the packing nut real tight (which I think was a little loose)... and pushed the stem as far as I could. It's a temporary fix, but at least now I can turn the water main back on and it won't spray water out of the shower head AND I can use water elsewhere in the house.

My plan is to (when the snow emergency is over) take the entire sleeve assembly to my local hardware store and replace the entire thing. I broke the handle trying to remove it, so I will need a new one of those as well.

Do you have any tips for removing the handle on the cold side? I don't want to break that off too!

Also, you said the stem doesn't pull forward, which I think is what the main problem is with mine. What I meant to say was that it goes forward and back when I screw it left or right.

Do you know of any websites that will explain to me how shower plumbing works? I think if I can get a better grasp on what is happening, it will help me a lot in the future.

Thanks,
AFW

massplumber2008 · Mar 8, 2008, 12:50 PM

Tell you what.. I will look for your valve type.. just tell me 2 or 3 handles??

Also, they sell a handle puller at the local home supply store... called exactly that, too... a handle puller ;) . Looks like the picture below.

Here, the tip is placed into the screw hole in handle, and the forks on each side set in behind the handle... and you twist the handle of the puller (hold the forks tight behind handle) and handle will hopefully POP off.

It doesn't work every time... but does for most applications. If not, well... get back to me we will see if we can think of anything else.. ok?

Good luck!. MARK

lenmccart · Mar 9, 2008, 02:33 PM

Mark,

I went out and got the handle puller, although I haven't been able to use it yet. I found a plumbers supply store down the street from me that has the exact stem I am looking for, but he is selling it for about $25. I think I found the same part online for $7. I've included a picture of one I found online (obviously a drawing).

This one here is listed as "RH Hot/Cold". There are others that are listed as Hot or Cold individually. Does it make a difference?

Thanks,
AFW

massplumber2008 · Mar 9, 2008, 02:43 PM

Hi Len... if you want your handles to open/close as mirror images of each other (most multi handle units) then stick with the individual hot, indivividual cold.

If you don't care how handles open then can use the RH type... just means that both handles will turn on/off in same direction to use... and can be used in both hot and cold sides.

Hope that helped, and good luck with the job! Keep us posted.

lenmccart · Mar 9, 2008, 06:29 PM

Excellent... thanks so much. I decided to buy the stem assemblies online at Partsmaster Home Page. They had the stem I needed for $6.99. The local supply store was going to charge me $22 each!

I think the rest of this project should be pretty open/shut.

Famous last words, eh?

massplumber2008 · Mar 9, 2008, 06:31 PM

*crossing fingers*... good luck!

hkstroud · Mar 9, 2008, 10:27 PM

Can I put my 2 cents worth in here? I'd be very leary buying a replacement stem from a picture (which I assume you are doing). Too hard to tell about sizes and lengths. I'd want to look at the real thing and compare.

If you tighten up that handle puller and the handle doesn't want to come off, give the end of the puller a little smack with a hammer to break the corrosion loose.

lenmccart · Mar 10, 2008, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Can I put my 2 cents worth in here? I'd be very leary buying a replacement stem from a picture (which I assume you are doing). Too hard to tell about sizes and lengths. I'd want to look at the real thing and compare.

If you tighten up that handle puller and the handle doesn't want to come off, give the end of the puller a little smack with a hammer to break the corrosion loose.

I am generally not too wary about buying things over the internet as I work for an auto parts company that sells over the internet (some).

That said, I did contact the people at AZ Partsmaster and I am 99% sure this is the part I need.

I just can't justifty paying $45 for 2 of them (which I need), when I can get it elsewhere for much cheaper.

Thanks,
Adam