RichardsS
Jul 4, 2012, 01:50 PM
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>
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>