Plumbing Help Please

[Smoky14]

I have a Delta shower faucet which is leaking and I can't get the retaining nut/ring, I think it's called a "cap" loose. Since it is a shower I hate to use too much force as I don't want to break the valve itself which would require a wall to be opened.
I'm almost to the point of taking a dremel and cutting the "cap" and removing it in pieces of course trying not to damage the valve body in the process.
Any ideas, past experience, etc??? I'm stuck.

Thanks, Smoky the frustrated.

 

[stephen9666]

Have you done any searching on the plumbing forums?

There are a few threads on the topic on Plumbing Zone. I won't post a link, because I don't know if that would be allowed.

PZ is for pros only, so don't try to post anything. But, you can find lots of good info there.

 

[1 FMF]

if it looks something like that,
then the center piece comes out. use a small flat blade screw driver to pry it out, then remove the phillips screw which holds the plastic handle on.
otherwise if you can find a replacement plastic knob at depot/lowes, then you could smash the plastic with a hammer to remove it. the knob on my shower has broken twice over the last few years, it's a thin cylinder of plastic that mounts to the metal of the valve where it breaks so it's unlikely at least in my case of damaging the valve. the plastic will always break first.

 

[barlowc]

Got a picture Smoky? I have two Delta bath/shower faucets in my home, both of which have a clear/crystal knob that pulls out to turn them on. (They date back to the early-to-mid 80's.) There's a cap on the center that you can (carefully) pry loose and pop off with a pocket knife. Under that you'll find a Phillips head bolt that will allow you to remove the knob.

I had a leaky one last summer and just needed to replace the assembly that mixes the hot and cold water to the desired temperature. I forget what that thing is called, but got it at Home Depot for around $20. It's not too difficult to replace; there's just an ornery little retainer clip you need to remove and then you'll be able to pull the assembly out.

 

[stephen9666]

I think the OP is talking about the ring that holds the valve and everything together, not the handle. But, I could be mistaken.

The ring in question is shown at 2:55 in this video:


The video shows it being removed with a pair of Channellocks, but I've read that can deform the ring and make it harder to remove.

 

[kb01]

If I'm picturing your problem correctly...

There's a tool called a "faucet handle puller" that might help. I have to use one on my old 3 handle shower faucet.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Thanks stephen9666,

The video is excellent for repairing leaking Delta bath/shower faucet. Mine is 1970-1971 and had a leak for several years, now I need to find the kit at Home Depot or Lowes

 

[GreeCguy]

Smokey - I'm sure you've already done this, but just in case, be sure to turn the water off to the house before tackling any plumbing issues. It's a lot easier to do so now rather than have something go wrong and suddenly water starts squirting everywhere - it makes the wife VERY unhappy when that happens, (but then maybe that's just my wife).

 

[Smoky14]

The "dome" he so easily removed at 2:55 in the video is where I'm stuck. I've tapped, soaked in vinegar, aero-kroil, and all to no avail. My next idea is to use a dremel with a cut off wheel and split the "dome" with great care and hope that if I cut it I can get a screwdriver in the cut and split the dome and have it then screw off.
Ant other ideas are most welcome.
Thanks again

Smoky

 

[GreeCguy]

It should screw off to the left, (righty tighty, lefy loosey). Did you install the original? It could be whoever did it either tightened it really good or even used something like plumbers dope or silcone. It also depends on how long it's been there as it might have gunked/rusted to the fitting.

Keep in mind if you cut it with the dremel, you'll want to be wary of cutting into the treads that hold the dome on place. Perhaps start a cut, and then continue the spit with a hammer and sharp screwdriver. In that manner, after cutting and splitting, it might start to unscrew as well.

I would suggest some heat, but there are plastic fittings underneath. Too much heat and you've really got a mess, maybe a quick pass or to, (just be sure you don't catch anything on fire).

Even as I'm thinking, as far as heat is concerned, what about an electric soidering iron? (hot, then cold, then hot, then cold).

One final thing, have you tried tightening a little first? Sometimes that has worked for me on a stubborn bolt or nut - a pipe wrench and a little tap or two on the wrench handle, then reverse, (counter clockwise) pipe wrench and some tapping on the wrench handle with a hammer. Repeat back and forth - sometimes that will work it loose. PB blaster is great stuff to use on rusted/stuck bolts. However, I have no idea what it will do to the chrome finish or the tile/fiberglass in your shower.

Just some thoughts.

 

[GreeCguy]

One more thing, as your tapping, twisting, keep an eye on the handle/guts as best as you can. You might mistakenly think it's coming loose only to discover you've twisted the entire assembly. That's a really bad day at Black Rock.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Smoky,

Please post what/how you did to remove the dome.

Mine is more than 40 years old, the ball is very rusty such that the handle is blacken after it was clean in few weeks. If the ball is so rusty then the dome is probably rusty too, I'm afraid to touch it now until I'm pretty sure that I learn more about removing the dome from you.

 

[Smoky14]

Well I read on the plumber zone and it looks like I'll try heat, short duration, if that fails the dremel with cut off blade seems to be the trick. I'll let you know what finally works even if it takes a plumber and a new valve.

 

[Stelth]

I've cut a couple of them off. You can get a new nut at the store, probably one with a hex on the front. As others have said, try not to cut too deep where the threads are. You can cut it deeper in the front, and then split it with a screwdriver.

Something else I've had some luck with is squeezing the nut with channel locks at different spots around the perimeter while trying to unscrew it. Sometimes it will suddenly loosen while doing this.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I tried "squeezing the nut with channel locks at different spots around the perimeter while trying to unscrew it" but the 40+ years old dome didn't move at all.