I unscrewed the plastic handle(phillips screw), then unscrewed the inner ring around the knob(had 2 notches in it.) The top is rounded where the handle moves foward and backward and also twists for hot/cold water..

Now the cover to the bottom part of this has grip ring all the way around it. I tried like to screw it off with a ratchet plier but it wont budge..

Any ideas..Surely its not left hand threads?

House built in 1976.

Rick

 

Welcome to the DIY Forums.

Look at the link below and see if this is the type of faucet you have. Reply back with any other questions. Good luck.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/p.../replseal.html

 

Rick,
A 1976 Delta bath faucet has a chrome-plated brass dome that is threaded at the bottom, that you're describing. Those threads get corroded in place, and can be hard to start.
Wrap a cloth over the ridged ring at the base of the dome to prevent marring it, and unscrew it counterclockwise with a pair of channel-lock pliers or a pipe wrench. Once you loosen it and get it started, you should be able to finish unscrewing it off by hand.
The plastic ring inside the top of the dome with the two notches is the adjusting ring. It turns clockwise to tighten the ball assembly to the seats and counterclockwise to loosen it.
I assume that you're replacing all the internal parts, or at least the seats-and-springs. Once you get everything re-assembled (except the handle), turn the water back on and snug that adjusting ring clockwise just until it stops the faucet from leaking. Don't over-tighten it or it will make the faucet hard to operate and wear the parts faster.
If you get a complete Delta repair kit, it will come with a little faucet tool with an Allen wrench on one end that fits the handle set screw and has two prongs on the other that match those adjusting ring notches. Keep it if you ever get one. You'll need it again.
If you don't have that little tool, you can use the ends of a pair of needle-nose pliers in the notches to turn the adjusting ring.
www.deltafaucet.com
Good luck!
Mike
(What's up, Terry? At it again. LOL)

 

I have the same problem with my Delta Tub/Shower faucet. It's the assembly on the referenced site;
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/p.../replseal.html
I bought and installed new springs/seats (the valve body didn't come out), reassembled and now it's even worse. When I turn the knob, the flow just slows down, not any where near off. I've tried different orientations of the inner piece of the plastic body. There doesn't seem to be any distinct position such as a notch or alignment indicators.
I dissassembled again, this time I removed the valve body and the only thing I notice is that there is a slight gap between the 2 halves. Also, I experimented with assembling the inner piece of the plastic body without the o'ring and it doesn't seem to be anywhere near making contact with the seats. Water temperature does change as I rotate the knob.
What's your recommendation.

 

Hi Rick, Sounds like you have a delta ball type valve not a disk type. The information I got from Delta on how to remove the outside ring didn't work so I won't bore you. I found that after you shut off the water and removed the plastic adjusting ring gently heat the ring with a torch then give the ring a try the threads are standard . Don't squeeze too hard on the cap you might bend it out of round Also with too much muscle you might break the pipe behind the wall.
The springs on older Delta seals were longer than the ones that come in the kits so make sure you save the old ones. You can stretch the old ones and make the work. When you put the faucet back together grease the treads.
Good Luck Woodbutcher