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jahhed89 · Jun 25, 2013, 06:41 PM

I am trying to replace the shower diverter spindle in my Symmons shower system but I am at a dead end. I tried the tools, lag bolts as described but I still cannot get the spindle out. I think it is just so worn out it is swollen inside the housing. Any suggestions on how I can get this out?

massplumber2008 · Jun 25, 2013, 06:54 PM

Hey Jahhead89

Hard to tell exactly by the picture, but I'm not sure the valve is worth saving? I suppose it can't hurt to try seeing how you have already worked so hard!

At this point, a larger lag bolt may be required... try that quickly.

If that fails you can also try to drill the old diverter out. You may need some help to hold the spool while you drill. Here, you get a drill bit about a 1/8" smaller than the diverter port and you drill the plastic diverter out a bit... should allow the diverter to get thinned enough that you can collapse the sides of the diverter spindle and finally pull it out! You can damage the valve here, so do this only as a last resort!

Be sure to grease the oring at the new spindle before installing it, OK?

Mark

jahhed89 · Jun 26, 2013, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hey Jahhead89

Hard to tell exactly by the picture, but I'm not sure the valve is worth saving?? I suppose it can't hurt to try seeing how you have already worked so hard!!

At this point, a larger lag bolt may be required...try that quickly.

If that fails you can also try to drill the old diverter out. You may need some help to hold the spool while you drill. Here, you get a drill bit about a 1/8" smaller than the diverter port and you drill the plastic diverter out a bit...should allow the diverter to get thinned enough that you can collapse the sides of the diverter spindle and finally pull it out! You can damage the valve here, so do this only as a last resort!

Be sure to grease the oring at the new spindle before installing it, OK?

Mark

Thanks Mark. I have tried the larger lag bolt but this piece is really stuck in there good. This house was built in '04 but as things go bad, I can tell things weren't really done the right way. I will try the drilling to see how that works and hopefully it does work out.

Thanks again for your response and I will up date after this next attempt.

John

Mike45plus · Jun 26, 2013, 03:39 AM

John:
Have you tried heating the valve body? If it can be done safely, try heating ( with a small torch / tip ) the outside area of the casting, near the divertor, & then cool the divertor with an ice cube. Then use an easy out, Irwin screw extractor, or a lag bolt to get a purchase on the divertor...

hkstroud · Jun 26, 2013, 02:49 PM

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massplumber2008 · Jun 26, 2013, 04:00 PM

Hi Harold...

That is NOT a retainer ring, but it is slight damage to the valve itself and is why I said, "Hard to tell exactly by the picture, but I'm not sure the valve is worth saving"...

Drilling the diverter spindle out should work. Heat, as suggested by Mike, can't hurt here either. If strategies are combined then John should get this out pretty easily from here... *crossing fingers*!

Mark

jahhed89 · Jun 26, 2013, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi Harold...

That is NOT a retainer ring, but it is slight damage to the valve itself and is why I said, "Hard to tell exactly by the picture, but I'm not sure the valve is worth saving"...

Drilling the diverter spindle out should work. Heat, as suggested by Mike, can't hurt here either. If strategies are combined then John should get this out pretty easily from here...*crossing fingers*!

Mark

Thanks to all for the answers. Yes the valve maybe slightly damaged but I did end up getting the diverter spindle out. I ended up just drilling it out and no heat. I don't have a torch so heat wasn't an option at this time.

Like I said, I did get the spindle out and got the new one in and the shower works great. Now I have a problem diverting to the tub... LOL... Oh well that's a project for another day.

Thanks again for all the assistance.

John

hkstroud · Jun 26, 2013, 07:06 PM

Thanks Mark.

Congratulations John.

massplumber2008 · Jun 27, 2013, 05:50 AM

Hi John

You did replace the white diverter spindle with a new white spindle and not a BLACK one, right? If you installed a black diverter spindle that would cause a problem as it is only meant to be installed on a SHOWER unit (no hole for tub)!

jahhed89 · Jun 27, 2013, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Hi John

You did replace the white diverter spindle with a new white spindle and not a BLACK one, right? If you installed a black diverter spindle that would cause a problem as it is only meant to be installed on a SHOWER unit (no hole for tub)!!

Mark,

Well aren't I the fool. I guess I better buy myself the white one now. Uhhggg... Now I am going to have to get the Black one out. Thanks... Any tricks for getting that one out easily?

John

massplumber2008 · Jun 27, 2013, 03:13 PM

Try the 5/16" lag bolt... should come out super easy as it is brand new!

Be sure to use some silicone grease on the ORINGs of the new WHITE spindle... repair and operation of spindle lever will last much longer and operate more smoothly!

Mark

jahhed89 · Jun 28, 2013, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Try the 5/16" lag bolt...should come out super easy as it is brand new!!

Be sure to use some silicone grease on the ORINGs of the new WHITE spindle...repair and operation of spindle lever will last much longer and operate more smoothly!

Mark

SUCCESS!!

Mark,

Thank you for all your help. Thanks to all that provided assistance to me.

This is one of the best sites I have ever come across.

Thanks again for the help.

John