Yet another Stuck Diverter thread...

[JThiessen]

Have a 5 year old Moen Roman tub Two handle set up with a diverter for the handheld. Diverter stuck about half open a week ago. Ordered the divertr hardware kit (101952) kit from Moen, and today after removing everything using the tool, and channel locks (sorry - dont know the name of the three parts I removed), the diverter stem still will not pull out or push in. I've removed all the old parts that came in the kit - so from what I can tell, the diverter rod should pull out.
Am I missing something? I'm thinking about trying to thread a bolt into the diverter rad so i can get a crow bar on in to try - but a bit nervous about that.

 

[JThiessen]

More to the story now. Went in and tried to turn the stem with the channel locks - didnt appear to to anything. Didnt give it too much effort - didnt want to damage the stem.
Stuffed some paper towels down into it to suck up the water so I could see down in there, and in the process, bumpd it to the side and it seemed to be loose finally - grabbed ahold of in and it came right out - less the spring and rubber......damn.
Spent a little quality time and finally fished out the spring, the rubber, and a brass washer.
Now, the question is, did I get it all? I highly doubt it - must be a threaded end and nut that should have been on the end of the rod right?
In the next photo - you can see it alllllllll the way down there, stuck somehow into something.....
Am I screwed here???? Whole new valve unit?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Smooky]

Here is a diagram of the parts:
http://assets.nationalbuildersupply.com/ul_pdfs/moen-117352-parts-specs.pdf

 

[Smooky]

It looks like the little hex shaped end is stuck inside. Here is what the part looks like:
http://www.nyrpcorp.com/moen-101951-diverter-for-roman-tub

 

[hj]

Unless something broke off in the nut, just get a piece of threaded rod and screw it into the nut to pull it out.

 

[JThiessen]

Its definitley broken off - the rod has no threads on it any longer. I'm guessing that the long hex nut jammed in something.

 

[Smooky]

Maybe you can get it out with a screw extractor/ez-out

http://www.pinniped.net/etnier/col_lewis/col_lewis_pics/EZ out extraction.jpg

 

[JThiessen]

In looking at one of the images posted above, it almost looks as though if I remove the shower hose from the valves, I might be able to put a punch up the bottom and possibly tap it out.
But, even if I can get it out, still dont know what caused it to jam down there.
I thought about the drill/screw extractor. I'll wait on that until I know if I cant get it out with any other means as its destructive and somewhat of a commitment.

 

[Smooky]

Yes I noticed that. Can you get to the hose to remove it?

 

[JThiessen]

I'm going to - started cutting out the grout around the tiles on the face of the tub surround. I dont recall exactly how I configured the front panel - but its becoming apparent that I used really good grout and mastik for the tiles! I've decided to just create an access panel from the adjacent bathroom wall - about the same distance, but just wont be able to see the top when installing stuff - but much easier to get into. Trying to find a replacement center "valve" now - want to have all the parts on had to get it done.

 

[JThiessen]

Finally got around to opening up the wall to get at the system. Looking at the attached picture, you can see that in fact I can not push the screw out from the bottom. Looks to be a chamber of some sort up there that is in the way.
I have a replacement valve set on the way (same solder in system). However, I think I made a mistake with my access to repair this stuff. I have far too many deck support 2x4's in the way, and there is no way I can solder this stuff back in place. Do the PEX connectors require that you solder on a certain end fitting? I've never used them, so am at a bit of a loss on their usage. I can forsee cutting the supply lines off below the floor level so I can get access to solder fittings on, then routing the tubes up through the floor to connect to the new valves.