Hi - I am trying to replace washer on the bottom of a stem because shower leaks. It's not hot or cold, but on/off handle in the middle. Anyway, I bought the tool to get the packing nut off, but now I can't budge the stem. Is there a trick to it? Maybe I don't have enough strength in my hands. Any tips. Also the handle is ceramic, white old fashioned type. It seems to be slipping, do I cement it back on or what? What do I use? Or do I need a whole new part, handle, stem, everything? Thanks.

Hi - I am trying to replace washer on the bottom of a stem because shower leaks. It's not hot or cold, but on/off handle in the middle. Anyway, I bought the tool to get the packing nut off, but now I can't budge the stem. Is there a trick to it? Maybe I don't have enought strength in my hands. Any tips. Also the handle is ceramic, white old fashioned type. It seems to be slipping, do I cement it back on or what? What do I use? Or do I need a whole new part, handle, stem, everything? Thanks.

Hi Pam,

Click on;
http://www.plumbinglessons.com/sup/alphaindex.htm
And scroll down to shower valve diagram. (Thanks Darrel) and tell me where your problem is. Remove the larger of the two nuts, (not the bonnet packing nut) and simply back the stem and washer assembly out counterclockwise. If It's the handle that's giving you trouble they make a tool called a handle/knob puller that you can pick up at any plumbing supply house.
Good luck, Tom

Looking at the picture, it would be the "diverter stem" that I can't get out. It turns both ways, but I can't budge it. The stem assembly is inside a larger pipe. I bought the tool that reaches in and removed the nut. But the stem would come out. I tried turning it counterclockwise and pulling at the same time, but nothing. Are you saying it should come out without removing the nut first? Thanks, Pamela

Looking at the picture, it would be the "diverter stem" that I can't get out. It turns both ways, but I can't budge it. The stem assembly is inside a larger pipe. I bought the tool that reaches in and removed the nut. But the stem would come out. I tried turning it counterclockwise and pulling at the same time, but nothing. Are you saying it should come out without removing the nut first? Thanks, Pamela


Hey Pam,

Once the large nut is loose you should be able to put a pair of pliers on the stem and washer assembly and turn it out counterclockwise. The bonnet packing nut and the large retaining nut do not have to be removed from the stem to do this. Cheers, Tom

Sometimes I can push the handle back on the stem and twist it out counter-clockwise, did you try that? Good luck!

Hi mwallkerco and welcome to The Plumbing Page at AskMeHelpDesk.com You are responding to a 7 year old dead thread. Please check the date before you post. Thanks,