Have a leaking rotating ball faucet that requires new valve seats and springs.
I removed the set screw from the handle, with great difficulty, but the handle will not come off the ball stem. The cap assembly will not unscrew. This faucet has not required repair in over twenty years and the hard water has no doubt caused considerable corrosion in the thread area. (We have been using a water softener only for the last ten or so years.) I’m concerned that if I reef too hard in trying to remove the cap assembly the faucet and/or pipes will break. Can anyone suggest a solution short of replacing the whole faucet assembly which is another can of worms.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bob
Replies
We almost never rebuild them anymore. I started plumbing in 78' and we rebuilt everything but now it seems even with the right kit, if you can get it, they still drip. Sor we just replace them. Can usually do it in about the same time. DanT
I had one like that, it was a Delta. And it was on a vanity so the backsplash made it hard to get a good grip on it.
But I would get a strapwrench to start with, which I did not have at the time.
I put a little liquid wrench around it where it would flow into the threads.
Then I GENTLY tap around it with a hammer. Then took a torch and went around the cap. Don't want it to get too hot, just enough for it to expand a little and crack any corrosion.
I think I did that a second day and was going to do it again and got busy and forgot.
About a month latter I got back on it and tensed up to put all of my weight on it, but I almost broke my arm. The thing was so loose that I lost my balance and fell.
First off, make a paste of corn starch (or flour) and strong vinegar, and pack that onto/into every part of the thing you can reach. Wrap with paper towels soaked in more vinegar. Rewet the paper towels with vinegar every few hours, and let it sit overnight. (Better leave the window open a crack, or the vent fan on.)
In the morning go after it with fresh vinegar and an old toothbrush. Finally rinse with clear water. If enough vinegar soaks into knob, you should be able to get that off.
Then use a strap wrench or cushioned pipe wrench on the knurled cap. It should come after a little swearing.
Thanks to all for the advice. I've been able to remove the knob and am now working on the cap assembly.
Which technique proved successful?
I fastened paper towels with elastic bands around the fixture and saturated the towels with 7% pickling vinegar. I repeated this for a couple of days and was able to work the knob off the ball stem. I'm continuing the same treatment on the cap assembly and in a couple of days I'll use a heat gun and some elbow grease to try to remove it.
My thanks to everyone who contributed advice re repairing leaking rotating ball faucet. With several days of continuing the vinegar treatment, applying heat with a gun, and the use of a strap wrench I was able to take apart the faucet and replace the springs and valve seats. Before the final attempt, I looked for a piece of pipe to add leverage to the strap wrench. Not finding anything suitable, I carefully put a mark on the cap assembly (to register any movement), applied moderate pressure and the &*%$ thing turned! After some further fiddling around, I was able to remove the ball and stem assembly. The valve seats and strings came out without any trouble. I replaced them, assembled the faucet, turned on the water and no leaks! Again my thanks to all.
Regards, Bob