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Ineedhelp1000 · Dec 4, 2010, 12:19 PM

They just won't come out, seems as though they must be dug out, but I don't want to gouge the brass housing.

speedball1 · Dec 4, 2010, 01:00 PM

What type of Delta faucet? Kitchen sink? Lavatory or tub/shower faucet? Let me know, Tom

Ineedhelp1000 · Dec 5, 2010, 12:13 PM

Tom, thanks for the reply. As stated in my question title - Delta,

speedball1 · Dec 5, 2010, 01:24 PM

Same question;
What type of Delta faucet? Kitchen sink? Lavatory or tub/shower faucet? Let me know, Tom
You gave ne the brand. Now I have to know the type of faucet and its use. Tom

Ineedhelp1000 · Dec 5, 2010, 03:20 PM

Tom,

It's a shower only - no tub spout. The type with the two seals and springs (hot and cold) and a single control ball. Series 601.
I believe the ball is a type #70.

Bob

speedball1 · Dec 5, 2010, 04:41 PM

Would this be your shower valve? Let me know what "seals" are giving you trouble. Tom

Ineedhelp1000 · Dec 5, 2010, 06:21 PM

Tom,

That's very close to my faucet. The seals I'm referring to would be #7, although mine has springs behind the seals which I don't see in your illustration.
Maybe, I'm using the wrong term. Instead of "seal", maybe it should be "washer" or "seat", or something else.

Bob

afaroo · Dec 5, 2010, 07:37 PM

Hello Bob,

Just follow Tom's instructions you will be Ok, Thanks.

John

speedball1 · Dec 6, 2010, 06:35 AM

mine has springs behind the seals which I don't see in your illustration.

Seats and springs are lumped together so the drawing's correct.
#7? You can't reach in with a pair of needle nosed pliers and simply pull them out? Try again! Good luck, Tom

Ineedhelp1000 · Dec 6, 2010, 10:46 AM

No can't just pull them out. They are hard as a rock and frozen in place. When I grab them with needle nose pliers pieces just break off the top of the seals and it leaves the sides of the seals frozen in place to the valve body. I can't grasp the side pieces with needle nose pliers - nothing to grab on to. I thought about digging the side pieces out with a steel awl or small screwdriver or something, but I don't want to score the insides of the brass orifices.

I'm afraid if I score the orifice the new seals will leak. If that happens I will have to replace the whole valve (unless there is a way to repair the scored orifices that I am unaware of).

If I end up having to replace the valve that will mean removing a piece of the wall behind the valve to replace it. That part of the wall is in another bath/shower. It would mean removing the old tile (that I could never match). Which in turn would mean removing and re-tiling all the walls in the entire shower enclosure in the other shower.

This why I asked this question here. I thought maybe one of the members here would know "an old plumbers trick" that I could use to get the hardened seals out without destroying the valve in order to save a huge amount of time and money in replacing the valve unnecessarily.

Bob

afaroo · Dec 6, 2010, 12:47 PM

It sounds like you have some calcium build up try a sharp object like a scriber play with it very easy take your time it will come loose under rubber seal there should be a spring, even you make a small score you be able to clean it with scotchbrite, one other thing I would suggest to spray some vinegar a few time and let it soak it may help to break the calcium, once the seals are removed don't forget to flush out your faucet, good luck.

John