They just won't come out, seems as though they must be dug out, but I don't want to gouge the brass housing.

What type of Delta faucet? Kitchen sink? Lavatory or tub/shower faucet? Let me know, Tom

Tom, thanks for the reply. As stated in my question title - Delta,

Same question;
What type of Delta faucet? Kitchen sink? Lavatory or tub/shower faucet? Let me know, Tom
You gave ne the brand. Now I have to know the type of faucet and its use. Tom

Tom,

It's a shower only - no tub spout. The type with the two seals and springs (hot and cold) and a single control ball. Series 601.
I believe the ball is a type #70.

Bob

Would this be your shower valve? Let me know what "seals" are giving you trouble. Tom

Tom,

That's very close to my faucet. The seals I'm referring to would be #7, although mine has springs behind the seals which I don't see in your illustration.
Maybe, I'm using the wrong term. Instead of "seal", maybe it should be "washer" or "seat", or something else.

Bob

Hello Bob,

Just follow Tom's instructions you will be Ok, Thanks.

John

Quote:

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mine has springs behind the seals which I don't see in your illustration.

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Seats and springs are lumped together so the drawing's correct.
#7? You can't reach in with a pair of needle nosed pliers and simply pull them out? Try again! Good luck, Tom

No can't just pull them out. They are hard as a rock and frozen in place. When I grab them with needle nose pliers pieces just break off the top of the seals and it leaves the sides of the seals frozen in place to the valve body. I can't grasp the side pieces with needle nose pliers - nothing to grab on to. I thought about digging the side pieces out with a steel awl or small screwdriver or something, but I don't want to score the insides of the brass orifices.

I'm afraid if I score the orifice the new seals will leak. If that happens I will have to replace the whole valve (unless there is a way to repair the scored orifices that I am unaware of).

If I end up having to replace the valve that will mean removing a piece of the wall behind the valve to replace it. That part of the wall is in another bath/shower. It would mean removing the old tile (that I could never match). Which in turn would mean removing and re-tiling all the walls in the entire shower enclosure in the other shower.

This why I asked this question here. I thought maybe one of the members here would know "an old plumbers trick" that I could use to get the hardened seals out without destroying the valve in order to save a huge amount of time and money in replacing the valve unnecessarily.

Bob

It sounds like you have some calcium build up try a sharp object like a scriber play with it very easy take your time it will come loose under rubber seal there should be a spring, even you make a small score you be able to clean it with scotchbrite, one other thing I would suggest to spray some vinegar a few time and let it soak it may help to break the calcium, once the seals are removed don't forget to flush out your faucet, good luck.

John