I have recently replaced hot, cold, and diverter valves in my pfister tub/shower. Leaks worse than before. All connections were teflon pasted prior to assembly. The leaking does not come through the stem, rather through either the faucet or shower head. Would it make any difference if the stem were threaded forward to engage the valve seat? Or, as I did, have the stem all the way retracted prior to assembly.

Did you have leaking before? Sounds like you need to change the seats. Maybe at one time the washers were totally bad, causing metal to hit metal. Is the leak ho or cold water?

At the same time the valves and diverter were replaced with new units, the seats were replaced as well. All new.

gbeavers said it: check the seats, replace them. Install stems as they are completely in OPEN position.

1. does water leak when both h/c stems are closed ?
2. does water leak from spout when shower is activated ?

Please, answer these 2 question for us... Thanks. Milo

Thanks Milo for your response. Fresh seats were put in prior to installation of the valve stems. When the diverter is directing water to shower head, there is a fine stream that exits from the spout, although both stems are closed. Temperature of the water is tepid out of the shower or spout

I would recheck the installation. You may have washer that doesn't seat properly in the stem. Also there may be a small piece pressed into the washer... Also, make sure the seats were put in the way they should, are tighten all the way and are not cross threaded.

Let us know what you found out... Good Luck... Milo