I changed the valve stems, valve seats for both hot and cold, but shower continues to drip. Any ideas?

Does it make a difference when I install the new valve stem, whether it is fully closed or fully open or somewhere in between??

Help.

Hey Bert,

"I changed the valve stems, valve seats for both hot and cold, but shower continues to drip. Any ideas?"
A few come to mind. You could have crossthreaded the seat when you installed or you night have been sold stems that were too short.

"Does it make a difference when I install the new valve stem, whether it is fully closed or fully open or somewhere in between???"

I don't understand the question. Everything is open until you install the stems.
First you screw in the stems and snug up the bonnet packing nuts. Then you turn the water on to the valve and open the stem and washer assembly a bit and check the stem for a leak. If there's a leak around the stem then you snug the bonnet packing nut up until it stops. Do not overtighten. May I ask why you replaced the stems instead of just the seats and washers?
Regards, Tom

Thanks for your help.

I changed the valve stem because I tried chaning the washers and seats and it still leaked, so I thought maybe changing the valve stem might work.

If I did cross thread the valve seat, any advice on how to correct this?

Thanks.

Thanks for your help.

I changed the valve stem because I tried chaning the washers and seats and it still leaked, so I thought maybe changing the valve stem might work.

If I did cross thread the valve seat, any advice on how to correct this?

Thanks.
Hey Bert,

Determine which side is leaking and unscrew the seat and check the threads. If the seat's been cross threaded it should show up there. Then I would replace the seat being careful to start the threads correctly. Did you teflon tape the threads? Regards, tom

Hey Speedball,

I tried changing the seat (although it looked good yet) and was real careful in threading the seat (with some teflon tape), and put back the valve stem and all the other stuff, and it worked... I think my wife was happier than I was. Last night she showered and came out to tell me it wasn't leaking anymore.

Thanks a lot, you're a blessing.

Hey Speedball,

I tried changing the seat (although it looked good yet) and was real careful in threading the seat (with some teflon tape), and put back the valve stem and all the other stuff, and it worked.....I think my wife was happier than I was. Last night she showered and came out to tell me it wasn't leaking anymore.

thanks a lot, you're a blessing.


I don't know about the blessing part but we're glad you're back in business. Tom