I'm hoping that someone can explain how to remove the sleeves from a shower faucet, to enable me to remove the valve stem. The shower was installed about 1970, and I don't know what make it is.
I've removed the valve knobs, and the stem protrudes from a sleeve about 3 inches long. Looking inside the sleeve, I see two bolts, the first smaller, and the second larger, at the valve. I have a set of deep plumbers shower sockets for reaching these bolts, but they won't reach deep enough inside of the sleeve to allow me to reach the bolts. The narrower end of the socket can fit inside the sleeve, but the wider back end is too wide to fit. I've tried applying a wrench to the sleeves to try to loosen them, but they won't budge. It's almost as if the sleeves are connected to the valves themselves. Any clues as to what I should do?

See the images below does your faucet looks like these?

John

Yes, that's basically it. Of note, there is no diverter----this is only a shower.
Also, the sleeves are more like a cylinder and an escutcheon that abuts against the shower wall (I can't tell if it's 2 pieces or one), rather than the flared type shown in the picture.

I guess u mean "can I post a picture of the valve assembly"? I can't give you a picture, as it's behind the wall. The only thing I can see is the valve stem, with the two concentric bolts (packing bolt and valve-stem bolt, I guess, which screws into the valve), when I look through the sleeve.

Please take a picture of the valve stems with bolts and post it, Thanks.

John

Can't do that, since the sleeves are in the way to view the bolts in any useful way. Your picture shows what the stem looks like quite well. The only difference is that the packing nut and the nut behind it are both about the same thickness as the packing nut in your picture-----maybe 3/32". That's all that I can see through the sleeve.


John;
Here's an attempt at a drawing of what the valve stem looks like as it protrudes from the shower wall-----if this helps!


John;

Here's an attempt at a drawing of what the valve stem looks like as it protrudes from the shower wall-----if this helps!

I'm having difficulty sending my attachment. This is a second try.


Here's my third try. I think I got it this time

I don't think I'm having luck sending the picture. At least I don't see any attachments to the messages I've sent.

Not Yest it didn't go through, Thanks.

John

I drew a picture, but it's too big to send as attachment on this service. I give up.

Finally learned how to downsize the picture! This is all that I can see of the valve assembly.

The chrome tube is threaded on. Unscrew it counterclockwise, Shut the water off and unscrew the larger nut to remove the stem. Replace the washer and check the seat for nicks nor rough spots. If you find any the seat must be replaced also. Good luck, Tom

Remove the sleeves (chrome tube) your stem will look like the next piture and follow Tom's instructions, Good luck.

John

If you need a deep socket to get at the retaining nut be aware that a cheap set is made especially for faucets, (see image) Pick up a set at your local plumbing supply house. Good luck, Tom

Yes, I already had a set, but couldn't reach the nuts (which were behind the wall), because of the sleeve. The WD-40 finally loosened up the sleeve, and it did unscrew, and now everything is simple. Thanks again.