[yeolus]

I was removing the shower neck and it broke with threads still in the pipe inside the wall. How can I get the broken pipe that is threaded inside the wall out so I can put the new neck in?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Yeolus...

That's a tough one for sure.. ;)

I would start by taking a tool like an AWL with a very sharp, hardened steel tip and start to see if you can lift the first thread out by literally undermining the threads of the shower arm without damaging the threads of the adapter it screws into. Lightly tapping the awl with a hammer will help to get the first thread lifted. See picture below.

Once you get a strip of thread going you can grab at the thread using a pair of NEEDLENOSE PLIERS and see if you can pull the rest of the threads out in a circular manner that allows you to UNRAVEL the threads... that make sense?

They also sell nipple removal tools... such as an easy out tool (see picture)... these tools usually won't work on removing the thinner-walled brass shower arm nipples.

The awl and needlenose pliers work 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time you will need to open up the wall from the front or from behind in a closet (if lucky) and replace the entire 1/2" copper x 1/2" female drop ear elbow (see last pic.) fitting.

If you use a hammer anywhere near a tub/shower... please be very very careful... :rolleyes:

Let me know how you make out...

MARK

[yeolus]

Not working, would a thing called a internal pipe wrench work?

[massplumber2008]

Nope... not usually. I mean, you can give it a try.. but almost always fails.

The Awl is best bet. You could also try a small hacksaw blade... say from a mini hacksaw..?

[letmetellu]

It is not wise to even try an ease out on a shower arm, they are made of too thin of metal and the pipe will just swell.

[massplumber2008]

You could also try to RETAP the 1/2" thread using a 1/2" I.P.S. TAP... sold at home depot.

The brass pipe is soft enough that it may get things started or you may even cut out the old pipe.

Just a thought... ;)

MARK