[CaptSocrates]

Im trying to clean/flush valve to hopefully restore the lost pressure to my shower. I have followed directins I have found online, but am now stuck with a newbie question.




It's a Symmons Model A Temptrol.
My question is, at the stage you see in these pics I am told to remove something to get to valve. WHAT DO I REMOVE?

In the directions I have followed it says something about a "U shaped thing" and something about using an Allen wrench.
I don't see a U thing, nor do I see an allen type nut anywhere.

I sense I am almost there. Please Help me get there!

Thanks

[btc]

Im trying to clean/flush valve to hopefully restore the lost pressure to my shower. I have followed directins i have found online, but am now stuck with a newbie question.




Its a Symmons Model A Temptrol.
My question is, at the stage you see in these pics I am told to remove something to get to valve. WHAT DO I REMOVE??

In the directions I have followed it says something about a "U shaped thing" and something about using an Allen wrench.
I dont see a U thing, nor do I see an allen type nut anywhere.

I sense I am almost there. Please Help me get there!!

Thanks

You have to remove the bonnet, which is the 'nut' at the end where the handle goes on the valve. You can use a crescent wrench. This would expose the cartridge which should pull out somewhat easily with pliers. I am not an expert, but that is what I think you need to do.

BTC

[btc]

Im trying to clean/flush valve to hopefully restore the lost pressure to my shower. I have followed directins i have found online, but am now stuck with a newbie question.




Its a Symmons Model A Temptrol.
My question is, at the stage you see in these pics I am told to remove something to get to valve. WHAT DO I REMOVE??

In the directions I have followed it says something about a "U shaped thing" and something about using an Allen wrench.
I dont see a U thing, nor do I see an allen type nut anywhere.

I sense I am almost there. Please Help me get there!!

Thanks

In looking at your picture again. There does appear to be a hex nut, center front under the valve stem. It is on what looks like a U part of and on the valve body under the stem. Not sure that is what you need to mess with to get the cartidge out to clean or replace it though. I still think you need to remove the bonnett for that.

[CaptSocrates]

Thanks for the response. Could you be a little more specific? (meaning, dumb it down even more for me. Lol)
Not sure where you mean the bonnet is. (Its not you, its me :)
OK, in this picture from the outside in, I see a round metal plate thing. Smaller and in front of that I see a rectangular thing, except the short sides of the rectangle are convexly curved. (still with me? :)
Inside of THAT, I see the small round thing, with a "teethy gearlike" edge to it. (This is the thing that actually turns to turn water on off.)

Sorry to dumb it down so much, but I am no plumber!LOL

So what is the Bonnet? The rectangle curvy thing? Is this what I need to turn? (I did try to turn it earlier, but it didn't seem to want to, so I figured I'd check before I force it)

Thanks, man.

[btc]

No problem.
The gear teethy thing is the valve stem. The valve or handle you use everyday attatches to this. This is what you are going to eventually pull out to replace or clean. The next piece as you move toward the wall is the bonnett. It has two parallel sides about an inch long. This is what you will put a wrench to, from what I can see. You may need to spray some WD40 on it and let it sit for a while, but you should be able to gently turn this counter clockwise and get it to unscrew from its seat in the valve body. Once that is done you should be able to pull the cartridge out of the valve body.

Good Luck

[CaptSocrates]

Excellent!
So it is the part with the two parallel sides, and the two curved sides? Ok. I actually had to reassemble everything (wife needed shower)
I will be doing this early tomorrow.

And thank you so much for the prompt help, friend!

So just to confirm, once I loosen this, I am home free? (as far as finally being able to remove the valve stem?)

Thanks again man. I WILL try this tomorrow and report back with results. :)

[iamgrowler]

Before you really tear into this valve, you should remove the shower head itself to be sure the reduced pressure isn't a clogged screen or flow restrictor.

Also -- Is this a tub/shower or is it a shower only?

The valve body in your picture is meant to be used as a combination tub and shower valve, and if the bottom port was plugged to make it a shower only valve, then your problem may be in the diverter, which is the smaller hole under the stem in your picture.

[CaptSocrates]

Sorry I didn't clarify.

It is a shower and tub.
I did remove the shower head first, and got the same crappy dribbling from the shower pipe. The tub pressure is fine and dandy.

IAMGROWLER: Does this sound like I am on the right track? Let me know and thank you. :)