Hi,

I'm trying to fix a leak in my bathtub faucets and was expecting to unscrew the stem "holder" (sorry, I don't know the name of the part that the stem and the packing felt sits in) to replace the seat and washer. However, what I discovered was that there is no stem "holder" and that the stem and packing felt washer seems to be inside the valve body itself. I don't know what brand the valve is but the stem has "Repcal" stamped on it. I think it's an old Crane-Repcal stem.
1) do I need to remove the stem to fix the leak?
2) how do I remove the stem from the valve body?

Thanks!

JP

1) do I need to remove the stem to fix the leak? Yes. To replace the washer you will have to remove the stem and washer assembly.

2) how do I remove the stem from the valve body?
Look at the image I've put up. Since the nuts are recessed in the wall we use a set of deep faucet wrenches, (see image) to unscrew the valve retaining nut.
Turn the water off to the valve and remove the knob and chrome cover plate. Take your deep wrench and back the stem and washer assembly out counterclockwise. You may now replace the washer. But wait! You're still not through.
Check the brass seat for nicks or rough spots. If you find any the seat will have to replaced as well. Reassemble and test. Leak all better now? Good luck, Tom

The thing is, after I removed the packing nut, there isn't another "hexnut" for me to put well sockets on to remove the entire stem assembly. It seems the stem is coming straight out of the valve body itself (at least from what I can determine by peeking through the tile) . Have you ever seen something like this?

If you have the packing nut off then place the knob on the stem and back it out counter clockwise. From there you can replace the washer and check the seat. Good luck, tom

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:
<a href="http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/phamster2000/?action=view&current=faucets001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/phamster2000/faucets001.jpg" border="0" alt="angle shot"></a>

What you're saying is to use a vise-grip on the stem and turn it counterclockwise ?

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/phamster2000/faucets001.jpg

Here's a straight on shot... as you can see, nothing to "grab' on to:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa319/phamster2000/faucets004.jpg