I HAVE AN OLD SPEAKMAN SENTINEL SINGLE FAUCET SHOWER. IT WAS HARD TO TURN OFF COMPLETELY SO I TOOK OFF THE COVER TO REPLACE WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE WASHER MUCH TO MY SUPRISE I DIDN'T SEE A REMOVABLE ONE WHAT I FOUND WAS A BLACK WASHER THAT APPEARS TO MADE INTO IT THAT LOOKED WORN. I TOOK HE WHOLE PIECE TO MY LOCAL HOME DEPOT TO TO REPALCE THE WHOLE THING THEY HAD NO REPLACEMENT AND NEITHER DID SPEAKMAN CO ON LINE. I DECIDED DUE TO LACK OF MONEY TO DEAL WITH THE SHOWER AS IS AND PU IT BACK TOGETHER. HOWEVER. WHEN I DID SO IT WAS LEAKING FROM OTHER PARTS AND I KNOW I PUT IT BACK TOGETHER CORRECTLY. I CALLED A PLUMBER WHO WIHOUT EVEN TURNING THE SHOWER ON SAID I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING FOR ABOUT $300 TO $350 SINCE THERE IS NO ACCESS PANEL IN THE CLOSET. IS THERE A WAY TO FIX THE SHOWER FAUCET WITHOUT TEARING OUT THE CLOSET WALL SEEING THAT IT IS ONLY LEAKING FROM THE PART THAT SEAMS TO (SOURDERED) AND THE HANDLE. IF NOT IS THE PRICE REASONABLE? I KNOW SOMETIMES SINGLE WOMAN ARE TARGETS. I'M A LITTLE HANDY IS THIS SOMETHING WITH THE CORRECT BOOK I COLD ATTEMPT MYSELF SINCE money is tight

 

If you can't repair it from the shower side, and can't even get parts or a source from the manufacturer, about the only thing that you can do is replace it now or let it leak until you can.
That will involve cutting into the closet wall, removing the old faucet body, and soldering in a new single-handle faucet. You should install hot and cold supply line shut-off valves and an access panel while you're at it.
The cost of doing this will depend upon the faucet that you choose, and pro plumbing labor charges in your area.
If you want to D-I-Y, choose a faucet, open up the closet wall, tell us what type of pipes and new faucet that you're dealing with, and we'll try to help walk you through the steps.
Good Luck!
Mike

 

Mike is right, as he is about 99 and 44/100's percent of the time. As for the plumber's quote of $300 to $350 to replace the valve, that is more than fair (or is that border-line cheap??) If he is a licensed plumber, I would let him have at it, as long as he will let YOU choose the valve (YOU have to live with it -- he doesn't!!) He will charge you the difference if you pick a $200 valve over a $75 valve, but that's your choice.

I have no doubt that you could probably do this yourself, "with the correct book", but I'm not so sure that replacing a shower valve is the best place to start learning plumbing. It's one of the more difficult jobs that you will find in a residence.