Pretty funny. Before I found all these posts here, I just went through that whole shebang myself this afternoon because our diverter broke. Guess what I ended up using to pull it out - yep, a 1/4" lag bolt... Pretty funny.

My problem is that our hard water seems to have built up deposits in the diverter valve body. The new diverter doesn't want to fit in. Tried using a rolled up piece of Scotchbrite to clean it out, but not good enough. So tomorrow I'm going to get a small bore brass cylindrical wire brush on a drill and ream it out.

Anyone have any suggestions to keep this from happening again - short of a whole house water softening system?

Hi Kevin...

Good for you on the lag bolt... only thing that works!

Use wire brush if you want and then pulse the water on to clear the diverter area of any sediment/debris left over and then spread a little plumber's grease or plumber's silicone grease onto the oring of the new diverter spindle and it should help to install the new diverter. You may have to use a blunt tool on the end of the diverter spindle to push it past the oring, but it will go. Use of the grease willl also aid in diverter spindle removal when needed in the future... ;)

No suggestions on the hard water. Hard water will cause issues with lots of stuff. Best bet is to pick up an extra diverter spindle in case you need it down the road... they cost about $8.00.

MARK

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Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Kevin...

Good for you on the lag bolt...only thing that works!

Use wire brush if you want and then pulse the water on to clear the diverter area of any sediment/debris left over and then spread a little plumber's grease or plumber's silicone grease onto the oring of the new diverter spindle and it should help to install the new diverter. You may have to use a blunt tool on the end of the diverter spindle to push it past the oring, but it will go. Use of the grease willl also aid in diverter spindle removal when needed in the future...;)

No suggestions on the hard water. Hard water will cause issues with lots of stuff. Best bet is to pick up an extra diverter spindle in case you need it down the road...they cost about $8.00.

MARK

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Thanks Mark. Great advice. I put plumbers grease on all faucet seat threads, etc. whenever I assemble them. Our hard water does a great job of chewing up faucets, pipes, etc... I usually stock spare parts for valve seats, Delta faucet balls and springs, etc.