I have a one-handle chrome Delta shower faucet that is leaking from the shower head. I am trying to take it apart to replace seals/springs. It's at least 20 yrs. Old. The problem, I cannot get the threaded ring that holds the thing together to loosen. I've used penetrating oil a couple times (waited 24hrs), rapped on it. With channel-locks, the thing won't budge. I'm afraid to try a pipe wrench for fear of crushing or breaking it. Any ideas? Thanks, Sam :(

Hey Sam,
Does your shower valve look like this? (see image) Let me know, Tom

Tom--
I was just about to go back online to post that I got it done! It was #4 in your drawing-- the chrome collar-type fitting--that I couldn't budge. After I read some other posts about stuck fittings, I resoaked the thing 2 or 3 more times with loads of penetrating oil and WD-40, then applied some steady muscle. It came free. Sure enough the rubber seats were shrunken and dry, and the springs were rusted into pieces. I also had to replace the rubber and poly gaskets. Thing works fine now.

Thanks,

Sam

Thanks for your feed back. It helps us with other questions. Glad you got fixed up, Tom