Spring yardwork and I needed my hose out front. Tried turning the silcock and could not budge it. Endied up cracking the plastic handle, then it got worse as after removing the packing nut, I could not even turn the valve stem with visegrips and destroyed the female threaded end of the brass stem.

Now, I know I have replaced the stems on both of my frost free silcocks in the front and rear of the house, however I do not recall if they threaded in or not. Shouldn't I be able to get this stem out even though I have damaged to outside end of it? Could it possibly be seized inside of my house?

Best case scenario, I can get this out, search for a replacement stem and install a new handle (mine are grey plastic). I hate to have to get a plumber to replace the entire silcock.

 

Do you have access to these from a basement or crawl space? Because a plumber is going to need to cut a hole in the ceiling. So you might as well DIY.

 

Shutoff valve is in basement. Not following your question as the work needs to be done from outside, getting the silcock stem out.

 

Sorry I commented then. You typically need to put two wrenches on a frost free spigot from inside. And some can be sweated on... from inside.

 

Maybe not being clear. I am trying to free the stem from the frost free silcock. I see on the cap that it is a Mansfield. I think you are directing me to replace the entire silcock unit, which hopefully I do not have to do.

I just went outside again and played with it. I can wiggle the stem, but I cannot turn it and from earlier stem replacements I honestly cannot recall if it is threaded into the back end.

 

It is my understanding that after removing the Mansfield packing nut (mine was right hand threaded) I should be able to put the knob back on, unscrew the stem counterclockwise and pull the entire stem assembly (I know I have done this before, rebuilding 2 of my faucets).

However with the damage I caused to the female end of the stem and the knob itself, I'm going to need another way to unscrew the stem to be able to pull it out. Shouldn't I be able to grab the damaged portion of the stem with slipjjoint pliers or another tool and be able to turn the stem counterclockwise?

The stem wiggles but doesn't seem to want to unthread.

 

Can someone confirm that the stem should come out with turning counterclockwise? thx

 

If you have damaged it as badly as you say, I don't know why you aren't replacing the entire thing. But yes, the nut should unscrew counterclockwise. Plenty of youtube videos on this.

 

Thanks. I finally got it out by shooting some PB Blaster through the top cap and tapping the stem carefully with a punch.

Hardest part now has been getting replacement parts. Kind of speaks to the Amazon world we now live in. Stopped at the Blue Box, then the Orange Box, then the plumbing supply store where I know I have easily found 2 stems hanging up front on the counter maybe 10 years ago. Well the medium size plumbing supply is now a medium box plumbing store that has gone from a counter to self service. And no longer do they stock my 10in. stems.

So I guess it has to be ordered online.

 

Yep. Repair parts are hard to find locally.

Even worse, people who can even understand what you are looking for have pretty much disappeared.

This is much worse in cities. You may have to find a rural hardware store to find someone who knows something.