Background: The hot faucet had a slow leak evident by the watermark on the shower floor. I also think that the shower head also has a slow leak or drip but gravity keeps it from being a big problem.

Set up is a two handle shower faucet constructed in the early 1980's. Everything in this home has been low cost builders grade material. (In working in the other bathroom I encountered a similar problem when trying to upgrade the shower head and found something on the threads that had made it almost impossible to unscrew.)

So I did some research and was able to remove the handle, etc to get to the stem. Then that is where I get stuck. I have to turn off the main water to work on it so this is becoming frustrating since it halts all household activity. I tried tightening the packing nut to see if maybe it was just loose but it is super tight and does not stop the leak. So I figured I would replace the stem, seat, etc. since it looks as if it hasn't been touched since first installed. But the bonnet nut isn't moving. I have soaked it in liquid wrench, hair dryer, hammered it, man muscle (had my husband try), and a mini propane torch. And I even let the liquid wrench sit for a few days because I got annoyed with it. I am beyound frustration. I even got out my good camera to show everyone a picture thinking maybe there is a tried and true skill this girl hasn't been able to find on the internet. Oh and I have tried turning in both directions (just in case it went the other way) and the nut is actually starting to strip from the socket wrench (too much man muscle). Please HELP

Oh and the cold water stem is set even further in the wall and I haven't even tried to tackle that one (it has a slower leak).

Picture
http://i45.tinypic.com/5c0x7o.jpg

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=5c0x7o" target="_blank"><img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/5c0x7o.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

Picture is a little blurry. Could you try re-posting it. To post a picture directly to this site, make an entry in the answer this question block, click on "Go Advanced" button below box. Scroll down and click on "Manage Attachments: Browse for pic. Open pic then click "Upload".

The bonnet nut and the packing nut are the same thing. I assume that are really putting you socket on the shoulders of the stem. The stem and the body of the valve are brass so they do not corrode. Liquid wrench and chemical will not help.
What kind of socket are you using. I assume a tub and shower socket set. These usually work quite well but if you are rounding off the corners of the stem shoulders get a six point, deep or extra deep mechanics socket of that size. Must be a six point, not twelve point. The six point is the same hexagon shape as the shoulders of the stem. The twelve point socket only engages the corners of the stem shoulders. You will not round off the corners with a six point.
You may have to use a pipe wrench to turn the socket because the stem will probably project through the socket.

The stem of the pic is blurry but the nut I am having trouble removing should be clear but I can try again. Although I do not have the choice to "Go Advanced."

I have realize that the bonnet and packing nut are the same I think I was looking at a diagram that had them as separate. Liquid wrench would not even help old putty to loosen? I can see that there is something that has pushed out (or at least it looks like there is something there).

I was using a generic socket tub and shower set. The 1 1/32 fit the best but I took your suggestion and bought a deep mechanic socket and the 1 inch actually fits perfectly so no more stripping the bolt but the stem still isn't budging even with a pipe wrench. I had to use a pipe wrench on the socket set too because the stem protruded through. I am supposed to be turning counter clockwise right? I have tried both ways and assuming the correct way is counter clockwise.

Lets see if this works
http://i48.tinypic.com/5z1rog.jpg

And here is another... I think you can see the nut better in this one...
http://i50.tinypic.com/308glmw.jpg