alan sailer
New Member
I'm trying to replace the cartridge from a VERY old Mixet shower control. The problem is quite simple, everything is frozen with corrosion.*
I was able to get the knob off but the end of the old cartridge broke off. I was able after 15 minutes of prying to remove the temp control lever. The corrosion* is bad enough that even these easy parts are hard.
But the main threaded part that hold the cartridge is totally frozen. I am afraid if I apply any more torque on the darn thing I may break the soldered joints to the pipe holding the valve. I have sprayed penetrating oil of several types, heated the thing with a torch but it remains frozen.
The only thing I can think of to do is to use a cutoff tool in a Dremel to cut apart the "nut". Risky in my mind because I could damage the threads on the valve body.
Is there any wisdom that I don't know about? I've also though about wicking in some dilute acid to dissolve the deposits.
Cheers.
* the corrosion is a mixture of deposits and true corrosion ie metal turning to oxides.
I was able to get the knob off but the end of the old cartridge broke off. I was able after 15 minutes of prying to remove the temp control lever. The corrosion* is bad enough that even these easy parts are hard.
But the main threaded part that hold the cartridge is totally frozen. I am afraid if I apply any more torque on the darn thing I may break the soldered joints to the pipe holding the valve. I have sprayed penetrating oil of several types, heated the thing with a torch but it remains frozen.
The only thing I can think of to do is to use a cutoff tool in a Dremel to cut apart the "nut". Risky in my mind because I could damage the threads on the valve body.
Is there any wisdom that I don't know about? I've also though about wicking in some dilute acid to dissolve the deposits.
Cheers.
* the corrosion is a mixture of deposits and true corrosion ie metal turning to oxides.
