How to remove shower diverter valve

I have a tub/shower with good water flow through the tub faucet but very low flow through the shower. I think the issue might be the shower diverter valve and have been trying to remove it. I have a three know setup (hot/diverter/cold).

I am stuck trying to remove the valve itself. The outside of the valve fixture is a threaded tube, the inside is threaded as well. The valve itself looks to be threaded into this tube, but there does not appear to be any good way of unthreading it. It looks like it unthreads counterclockwise, but I am unable to get it to move either with vice-lock pliers or with the knob and am afraid to break something if this is not the right thing to do.

I've included a few pictures. I would appreciate any suggestions on what to try next. Thanks!

 

Can you determine the brand of valve?If so go to the web site or call mfg.

It looks like there are two indents where I circled. That indicates that a spanner of some sort can be used. Is there similar in the interior portion? Usually there would be three indents or only two equidistant from one another.

By unscrewing this section you should be able to gain access to internal parts. However, it may very well be seized by a build up of calcium deposits. Some CLR may be able to dissolve most of it.

Attachment 18138

 

Inside the wall should be a nut. You usually use tools to remove stem.

Like these.



Additionally the threaded tube probably unscrews and is just to hold on the escutcheon.

 

Sounds like dirt, crud in the filter at the shower head, water is flowing fine. Diverter would leak water at the tub spout if it was bad, not restrict flow to the shower head.

Unscrew the shower head and check flow.

 

Flow through the shower pipe (with head off) is very low. Doesn't look like a shower head problem.

 

I bought that set. Unfortunately the only nut I could find I had already taken off. The tube looks like it might unscrew but it might be stuck. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

could you show us a picture of the handles? If we can identify the make we may help you better.

usually the nut to remove the stem is inside the wall. You may need to look in there with a flashlight and/or clear some Sheetrock/Spackle.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. The indentations seem to be defects not slots for a spanner. They are less than 1mm deep. I will try some CLR, that may help.

The rubber o-ring came out and it looks like there is an inner surface, as well. Is there maybe some tool I can get inside there now to get the valve out with?

 

Look inside the wall with a bright light. Follow that tube. Let us know.

Take a pic of the handles and escutcheon.

 

That tube unscrews I am sure.

 

The threading ends suddenly, which makes me think it will come off with some effort.


Here is what the know looks like:


On the back of the knob are the characters R6 and 624. Unfortunately no manufacturer name.

 

Hi, The threaded tubing in your last picture looks like what I have seen on Price Pfister valves. It isn't the valve but an adjustment for the escutcheon and handles to make then fit up against the wall.It should screw off the valve then you will have acces to the valve itself.
Good Luck Woodbutcher

 

I know that knob... I will do some reseach. But inside here in the wall is typical where you unscrew the stem with the tool.

What yr is the home????????

Sorry for the primitive drawing...LOL

 

I'm afraid that something that should be easy to unscrew is stuck which is causing my confusion. The home is from 1949; the fixture doesn't look that old but I'm clearly no expert. The pipe back to the wall looks pretty smooth--no nuts or any indication that it can be unscrewed further back. Thanks for your help so far, I appreciate it.

 

Looks like you removed a nut already right? Looks like possibly a packing nut. That stem will not uncrew out of there like that...

We need more info or pics from in the wall. I know you say there may be no nut in there but heck, it should be so simple.
Is the water off? If you turn on the faucet water will come out that tube right, since you removed the packing nut?

 

Yes, removed the packing nut. The water is off but if I turned it back a little bit would come out of that hole. I wish I could see a nut somewhere...I know how to take nuts off. I will try tomorrow to take some more pictures inside the wall once I figure out a better way of lighting back there.

 

I looked more closely at the valve. It appears to be one continuous piece back to the T in the wall. There is a circular upset (definitely not hex) a little ways back, but there appears to be a continuous seam down the pipe through that upset. I'll try a wrench on the outer threaded ring and hope that works.

Here is the best picture I could get of the pipe back to the T.

 

I wonder if it could be a cheap one piece assembly installed before plastering the faucet into the wall. But considering the age I doubt it. Things were made better back then.

 

It doesn't look like one piece. There is definitely an internal piece, but I don't have any idea how to get it out. I try turning counter-clockwise with the valve stem but it won't budge. I've tried turning the outer threaded pipe with a pipe wrench and it won't budge, either. I've tried pulling the valve stem out and it is also completely stuck. I think I'm going to give up soon, but it would appreciate any suggestions to try before I do.
Thanks.

 

At the risk of causing damage I wold try putting the wrench back on the pieces and adding a pipe to the wrench handle to give more leverage.

 

Hello !

I have an identical diverter valve to the one on your photos... and I was wondering if you figured it out how tu pull it out ?

My shower has the same problem yours had... only half of the water is diverted to the shower and the rest in flowing through the tub faucet... I was trying to change the gaskets on the diverter valve but I can't find a way to remove the stem...

Thanks !

 

Ok so the pipe just pulls right out. I reattached the handle and turned it all the way counter clockwise. Essentially it threads out the back and pushes forward. So you'll turn it counter clockwise until you realize that it just keeps spinning. Pull it toward you while your turning it. Pops Right out.