I've read the other answers, my question I guess is, is a pipe wrench too much for the job? This has been a complete nightmare! I guess I'll be making a fourth trip to Lowe's to buy a strap wrench and see where that takes me but ugh! Just want to get it fixed and move on

Can you post a picture of it ? Thank you. Milo

The bonnet packing nut is a hex head with brass threads. I wouldn't use either a strap or a pipe wrench. I'd load the threads up with WD-40 and then use a adjustable crescent wrench.

Is it chrome and does it look like this ?

Or perhaps something like this? Let us know, Tom

I believe he means the brass bonnet for the Delta 1300/1400 crtridge, it is a very fine threaded nut if you use a pipe wrench it will not work, try a strap wrench, Open the PDF file it will tell you the removal and installation, good luck.

John

Hey John,
Why would anyone use a strap wrench on a hex fitting. I've used strap wrenches on chrome fittings but can see no advantage to using one on a hex fitting. So am I missing something here? Regards, Tom.

If that bonnet nut looks like the picture I would first wrap it with a couple wraps of duct tape and then try the strap wrench. The duct tape will not be a smooth as the chrome finish and the strap wrench will hold better.
Even better would be double sided carpet tape. That will give you a stick surface for the strap wrench to grab too.

(OK guys! Time to take a look at what the OP posted. He said,

Quote:

---

Can't get brass bonnet off

---

What's with the chrome and strap wrenches? Look at Milos image. Even his chrome nut is a hex fitting. And you don't use a strap wrench on a hex fitting. Or have things changed that much since I retired> Cheers, Tom

OK, so, I got the brass bonnet off with a strap wrench, replaced the cartridge and was following instructions to reassemble and stuff. Turned the water on and it was leaking much worse. When I turn the water on, it comes dripping down the center pipe in the access panel. No idea what I'm doing wrong. Then found the o-ring seal pushed way back as far as it could go just hanging there, no idea where it goes.. lol! I'm at a loss here and I know I'm in way over my head.

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/upl...1/DSC_0123.jpg

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/upl...1/DSC_0125.jpg

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/upl...1/DSC_0126.jpg

Those pictures didn't work at all, here's links

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0126.jpg

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0125.jpg

http://kelly.wards.ws/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DSC_0123.jpg

Make sure that cartridge is pushed in all the way. Put some lubricant on the 0 ring and insert it into the body until it hits the rim. Only then screw in the nut. Btw: we use large channel locks to unscrew the nut. Back to you. Milo

Hello Tom,

I know you are the master and I learned a lot from you but some time you jump the gun too soon , the OP finally got the job done and removed the bonnet nut with a strap wrench.
May you didn’t understand his question but I did understand that he was working on Delta 1300/1400 cartridge removal, and I posted the PDF file in my post #6, please open it show the bonnet nut removal and I asked him to use a strap wrench because it has fine threads, due to my 50 years experience on the airplanes we don’t use pipe wrenches on most of the fine threads nuts, Thanks.

Best Regards,
John

Thanks John, But I'm no master. I'm outdated and behind times and learn much more from you guys then you do from me.
I pulled up the diagram (see image) and that's the first bonnet packing nut I've ever seen without a hex head. {Why would they make it so difficult to remove?)
Anyhow I was wrong and everyone else was correct. ( hanging head in shame and walking away)