I've got a stuck, frozen (presumably corroded) shower diverter valve stem. Valve will not turn (Stuck -> tub spout) Got handle and trim off. Got packing nut removed - but there is no (second, larger, farther back) valve body nut on this particular valve to release the valve stem (some sort of unibody design.) This is unlike any other valve design I have seen described (for easy removal of the stem). It would seem the valve stem could be removed after the packing nut is off (might just pull straight out) - I can see the "packing" (metal washer), and there is probably just enough clearance for it to pull straight out, however the entire stem unit is corroded/frozen in place in the valve body.
Have tried:
lime-a-way directly on stem and down the shower spout.
have put enough torque on the stem (without packing nut) to the point of nearly bending the stem rod and nearly snapping the entire valve body from the supply pipes/wall.
Have tried hammering stem forward into the valve (lightly) to break corrosion, have tried visegrips to pull stem (not enough grip) and tried wiggling stem side/side. Nothing. won't budge.
Don't want to try heat (pencil torch) as clearance is minimal, there is combustible insulation in the wall and I'll ruin the washers/seals/packing/seats before I even know if I can obtain a replacement stem.
Other details:
Valve is currently not leaking and 100% flow is to tub.
unknown make model (could really use help to identify cf below)
standard three valve Hot/diverter/cold setup to tub spout and handheld shower spout.
Tub/shower was remodeled ~10yrs ago (prev owner) Valve body is brass and looks relatively young. (However other tub/shower in the home is also 3 handle and circa 1950s/60s - would remodeler have put new handles on old valves, tiled it in, called it good? this certainly is not scaldproof/pressure balanced/ moden code compliant) Shower surround is expensive finished large tile work, clearance is limited and there is no access from behind. (grr.)
Can't identify the fixture make - lever handles(3) classic white porcelain/chrome. Stem is long (9" or more) the stem rod is fairly narrow diameter, splined along its ENTIRE length and the stem rod is uniform in its diameter along the entire length (i.e. nothing to grab ahold of, grrr.) The handle fits over the splines at the end of the stem and secures with an allen head set screw perpendicular to the stem.
The packing nut is threaded on the outside to thread into the valve body, of course. It is also threaded on the inside lumen - and a short length of threaded pipe threads into the packing nut, and then the trim ring/ estucheon threads onto this piece.
Next step:
further penetrating oil on the exposed packing/stem.
grind down some flats/indentations on the stem rod to give something to grab a hold of and pull outwards(rig some sort of pry bar/fulcrum)?
If you recognize this diverter valve and/or have any ideas, please chime in,
Much appreciated!
Have tried:
lime-a-way directly on stem and down the shower spout.
have put enough torque on the stem (without packing nut) to the point of nearly bending the stem rod and nearly snapping the entire valve body from the supply pipes/wall.
Have tried hammering stem forward into the valve (lightly) to break corrosion, have tried visegrips to pull stem (not enough grip) and tried wiggling stem side/side. Nothing. won't budge.
Don't want to try heat (pencil torch) as clearance is minimal, there is combustible insulation in the wall and I'll ruin the washers/seals/packing/seats before I even know if I can obtain a replacement stem.
Other details:
Valve is currently not leaking and 100% flow is to tub.
unknown make model (could really use help to identify cf below)
standard three valve Hot/diverter/cold setup to tub spout and handheld shower spout.
Tub/shower was remodeled ~10yrs ago (prev owner) Valve body is brass and looks relatively young. (However other tub/shower in the home is also 3 handle and circa 1950s/60s - would remodeler have put new handles on old valves, tiled it in, called it good? this certainly is not scaldproof/pressure balanced/ moden code compliant) Shower surround is expensive finished large tile work, clearance is limited and there is no access from behind. (grr.)
Can't identify the fixture make - lever handles(3) classic white porcelain/chrome. Stem is long (9" or more) the stem rod is fairly narrow diameter, splined along its ENTIRE length and the stem rod is uniform in its diameter along the entire length (i.e. nothing to grab ahold of, grrr.) The handle fits over the splines at the end of the stem and secures with an allen head set screw perpendicular to the stem.
The packing nut is threaded on the outside to thread into the valve body, of course. It is also threaded on the inside lumen - and a short length of threaded pipe threads into the packing nut, and then the trim ring/ estucheon threads onto this piece.
Next step:
further penetrating oil on the exposed packing/stem.
grind down some flats/indentations on the stem rod to give something to grab a hold of and pull outwards(rig some sort of pry bar/fulcrum)?
If you recognize this diverter valve and/or have any ideas, please chime in,
Much appreciated!