Stuck Shower Knob

desmith653 · #1 Nov 5, 2009, 04:16 AM

Hello,
My home was built in 62, I bought in 96. The shower knobs have never been removed. I've had a leak in the shower for sometime. I can't remove the knobs. I did manage to get one off. Its like there is a buildup of calcium or something locking the valve to the knob. The one I got off, was a real pain and I was afraid I would crack the copper in the wall or damage the internal cut off valve. I've tried spraying WD40 in behind the knob, pulling it as hard as I can, a Home Depot knob puller, even a 1X4 and flat bar. Its still stuck. Any recommendations short of calling a plumber would be most welcome.
Thanks

hkstroud · Nov 5, 2009, 04:36 AM

If I under stand correctly you have tried the handle puller.

Try it again. This time tighten the handle puller as tight as you dare. Then smack the end of the handle puller with a hammer, just as if you were trying to nail the puller to the handle. A reasonable blow, not a tap, but not as if you were mad at it. You are correct that corrosion is the problem and this should jar it loose.

desmith653 · Nov 8, 2009, 04:26 AM

I finally got the stuck knob off. A guy at work brought me some "blaster" or something like that. It smelled like gasoline. Very strong. I got a ziplock sandwich baggie, placed it over the knob, used a wd40 director straw and sprayed inside the handle. Closed the bag best I could and left it for about an hour or so. The stuff darn near ate its way through the baggie. Removed the baggie, pulled really hard on the knob and it finally budged. A few more pulls and it came off. Everything is full of corrosion, thats why it all was stuck. No tyflon at all. So that part of my problem is solved. Now I have to figure out how to get the guts out of the fixture. The trim is all removed, I can remove the packing nut but can't get the guts out. Went to home depot, talked to a guy there he said that either there is a nut holding it in or that I have to remove the packing washer and use a "spanner" wrench to get them out. So the saga continues and the drip is still there. Bad part the shut off valve in the wall won't turn the water off completely either. Guess I'll have to shut down the entire house to fix this problem. One step at a time.

hkstroud · Nov 8, 2009, 04:41 AM

You need a set of tub faucet wrenches. Available at Home Depot. Person at Home Dummies could have made a sale if he had known what he was talking about.



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