please help! I am attempting to remove the spindle from the bathroom faucet in order to change the packing and the washer but the spindle is inside of a metal tube and therefore i cant reach the hex with a wrench. How should i attempt this? should i use a deep socket wrench? thanks in advance

 

Invest in a set of shower sockets. They look like sheet metal sockets. Believe there are 4 or 5 on a hairpin looking clip. Made to reach deep. Probably less than $10 at Home centers. Good luck.

 

i bought 2 socket wrenches with sizes 29/32, 31/32 and 21/32, 27/32 and only the latter 2 fit inside of the tube thats covering the spindle i was able to take off a hex nut that was in front of the spindle but i wasnt able to turn the spindle itself because the wrench is too small and the larger wrenches don't fit inside the tube please give a suggestion about what i should try now. thank you

 

Perhaps I am mistaken about the word "spindle". I am/was assuming you are talking about the stem. With the nut disconnected, you should be able to slip the handle back on the faucet and turn it out. Most faucet stems have large coarse threads that actuate inward to shut off the water and outward to open the flow. The packing nut is the only thing that holds the stem in.

 

What kinda diameter are we talking, regarding the tubes? Are they JUST tubes?...or are they a combination chrome tube with a trimplate attached to them (an escutcheon)?

ANY "tube" for a shower faucet shoud be removeable, where this easily exposes the big hex that you would unscrew, to unscrew the entire valve stem. These hex nuts are more like 1 1/4 inches in diameter. If you have a hex nut that you are trying to unscrew, inside of a tube, that is only about 1/2 inch in diameter...that is the wrong hex nut to be trying to unloosen as this is just the packing nut (in FRONT of the big hex nut) and will not allow the removal of the valve stem.

 

hm well ill try to explain it better. I take out the screw from the know and pull off the know and there i see the stem stinking out about 1/2 an inch from a tube that has a trimplate on it. I can pull off the plate but its only a decoration piece and it doesnt expose the inside of the tube since its like a ring. inside the tube i can see the packing nut and the hex that holds the spindle in place - the chrome tube is slightly larger than the hex nut so im guessing it is about the size that was mentioned 1-1/4 inches. any suggestions? thank you

 

That tube should unscrew. Even if it is chrome with lime deposits on it, it is really made of non-rusting brass and should come loose. If you destroy it in the process, someone should have a replacement for it.

If each valve has a trim plate around this tube, what holds it up against the wall?: A set screw of some sort, on the underside of the trim flange?

If you are really afraid of burtchering up the tube and hate to run around trying to find another...this will take a lot of work, but you could hole-saw a piece of wood to perfectly fit inside the tube. You will also have to drill out a hole in the middle of the wood disc you make so it can slide over the spindle. The insert it in the tube, over the spindle. Then, using a channel locks or pipe wrench out near the outer edge, the tube will not crush in because of the wood disc inside. By turning it near the outer edge, chances are your knob will cover this part of the tube and you won't see any cut/scratch marks in the chrome made by the channellocks or pipe wrench.

 

The problem with the tube is that I can't see what it connects to because it goes into the wall. If i attempt to unscrew it what if it's connected to the pipes behind it? I will damage the entire pipe system. Are there any images online of a similar set up? I wasn't able to find any but maybe you more-experience people know.

 

In all my years of seeing and working on mixer valves...I have never seen one that has *integral* chrome tubes that stick out. They have all only been brass. The chrome parts screw on or are held on by a set screw...one or the other.

Another tip off that they come out lies inthe fact that the tolerance between the hex nut and the inside of the tube is too close to allow a socket to fit in between.

If you are really afraid to try to remove the tubes...then you will need other opinions from people either on this or other forums or by calling a plumbing shop or something.

 

is this a two handle or a single handle mixer valve?
do you see a name or can you discribe in detail wnat is visable in cluding handle(s)

 

this is a 2 handle unit. Each handle says "noland". both handles are circular and chrome.

 

Well...for two handle units, where you can actually see hex nuts inside that go around the "spindle"...I have never seen such a two-handle mixer valve where the chrome tubes do not unscrew.

I have never heard of the brand though.

Have you tried an internet search by company name to see what comes up?...to get a telephone number so you can call someone on this?, most likely confirming what I have been saying?

But I don't want to be responsible for the demise of your mixer valve, so you better get at least a second opinion.