Can't get the #@*# Delta dome cap off

[Plumb Bob]

This is an old Delta (at least 20 yrs old) I'm afraid I'm going to wring the pipes off. I've tried tapping around the dome cap with a tack hammer to help loosen it up. Also poured vinegar over it. Any suggestions?? When I try to unscrew it with channel-locks the whole assembly tries to turn, it feels like the pipes are bending. I'm afraid to try heat for fear of melting the guts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Craig

 

[Cass]

Turn the water off. Spray it down with WD40 a few times and tap the dome a few times. You may very well wring the guts out but you can try. You may have to replace the faucet, or is it a shower valve?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Plumber1]

Delta

Tap it with the plastic end of a screwdriver, BUT when turning with your Channel Locks, DO not squeeze the handled. I found that if I needed to use them, I used the curved jawed ones. Don't squeeze just grab and turn.

After all your work, maybe you can just turn it off by hand.

Silicone grease it real well when you put it back together.

 

[hj]

delta

The internal connecting pipes are turning. (I have one that I have to fix next week where the customer did break them off.) First buy a new cap, then heat the other one a bit and try to unscrew it. If it does not turn without using force, heat some more and try again. When you reach the proper temperature the nut will unscrew as if it was oiled. Then use the new nut when you put it back together.

 

[Plumb Bob]

thanks for your helps guys. I gave up on the project of removing the dome cap and wound up tightening the adjusting ring. When I turned the water back on there was no drip-drip-drip. We'll see after a few uses if it comes back. If it does, I'll try a little heat and see what happens. Thanks again, Craig