Valve body retainer ring

[Rockycmt]

I have a shower delta body. The retainer ring that holds the cartridge in place is not turning lose. (I guess no plumber grease) I want to avoid damaging the body. I do not care about the controls or cartridge. What is the suggested procedure.

1- Give it hell with channel locks?
2-Special tool?
3-Cut it? Without ruining threads on body.
4-Other

 

[Smooky]

Channel locks with curved jaws. Sometimes those rings are hidden by the knob so you don't have to worry about skinning it up. You could wrap something around it to protect the finish.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Terry]

Be carefull about "egging" the retainer ring. Sometimes I put some heat on the stubborn ones.

 

[hj]

Be very careful. Some of those valves are a one piece casting, but others are two pieces connected with 3 small "fragile" tubes that you can destroy if you twist them.