[weathergirl]

Hello. One day I went to turn off the hot water in my bathroom sink, and the handle just turned round and round. I shut water off underneath sink and scurried to Lowe's where I bought a kit to replace the handles and stems. I now have the handle off, and have unscrewed the stem as far as I can, and cannot get it out. I have the seat wrench for the next step, but don't know why I can't get the stem out. I pulled the nasty old washer off. Should this stem unscrew further or pull out? Also, what's the diff betw the hot water stem and the cold one? I notice the washers are diff, but which is which? Thanks

[letmetellu]

How did you see the washers to get them off if you can not get the stems out.?

[speedball1]

Letmetellu, I think he was referring to the bonnet packing washers on the stem.

"Should this stem unscrew further or pull out?" The stem should unscrew counterclockwise. If it sticks put a pair of pliers on it.

On most faucets the stems screw in clockwise so the stems are the same, however on some faucets that have cartridge type stems the hot and cold are different. TIP: Buy some plumbers heat proof grease and lube the threads on the stems. Good luck, Tom

[weathergirl]

Letmetellu, I think he was referring to the bonnet packing washers on the stem.

"Should this stem unscrew further or pull out?" The stem should unscrew counterclockwise. If it sticks put a pair of pliers on it.

On most faucets the stems screw in clockwise so the stems are the same, however on some faucets that have cartridge type stems the hot and cold are different. TIP: Buy some plumbers heat proof grease and lube the threads on the stems. good luck, Tom

Thanks so much for your tip! However, while the stem is turning counter clockwise, it feels as if whatever it's attached to is turning along with it. Therefore, it turns and turns and will not come out. I've pushed in and turned and pulled out and turned to no avail. When I turn it clockwise, it appears to unscrew and come out toward me, but then it stops at a certain point and will not turn anymore. This faucet is set into the back wall of this sink, not on top, if that matters. I can't believe I cannot get this stem out. Any further suggetions? Thank you!

[speedball1]

Can you take a picture of the faucet and send it to me here? Can you give me a brand name so I can look it up? Tom

[weathergirl]

Can you take a picture of the faucet and send it to me here? Can you give me a brand name so I can look it up? Tom

I hope the attachment comes through with the pic of the sink. It is a Central Brass brand fixture. Thanks... Denise

[speedball1]

You must first remove the chrome cover plate. This unscrews counterclockwise. After you get itboff there will be a brass nut that also unscrews. Unscrew that and the stem should come right out. Good luck, Tom

[weathergirl]

You must first remove the chrome cover plate. This unscrews counterclockwise. After you get itboff there will be a brass nut that also unscrews. Unscrew that and the stem should come right out. Good luck, Tom

Hello again. I got the stem out with no problem, thank you. Now , the next dilemma is that the stem was way longer than the one that came in the central brass replacement set I'd purchased. I ended up just putting new washers on, and putting it back together, but I know this will be a temp fix as the stem/seat look pretty worn. Now from checking online, couild it be that my stem is a "slo-close"? Googled "old central brass stems" and came across line drrawing that resembled lenghth of my stem. What an adventure! Denise

[speedball1]

Hi Denise,

Why not take the old stem in to a plumbing shop and ask them to match it? Regards, Tom

[mepiper]

Hi:

First, the left and right are threaded differently (You must have the "handle" type rather than the "knob" type on/off controls. The handle type turn opposite from each other to turn on and off.

Now that you have the stems off, I would take them to a plumbers supply shop and let them match them for you. As you mentioned though, new washers may not last long. I've changed mine 3 time over the last 6 years or so. Also, if you really want to get it back to new, you have to take the bottom part of the control out from the sink and you can remove and replace the seats inside. You will need a special tool (looks like an L shaped bar with one end a 4 sided and the other a 6 sided tool that goes into the seat and unscrews the seat). If you order the seats at a plumbing supplies shop they'll probably replace them for you on the spot or you can buy the tool (seems like it costs around 10 bucks). That might allow the washers a longer life and a better fit to prevent drips.

Hope it helps, I've had a difficult time with the central brass faucets and am changing over to another brand completely.

Mike