Cold water handle stuck in a fiberglass shower
#1

HELP - the cold water shut off faucet valve is leaking in my shower. I don't know if it is the packing nut or the stem washer as I am unable to get the plastic handle off the stem. The home is 30 years old and it appears to be original. I bought a handle remover from Home Depot but it keeps slipping off the small lip of and chipping the handle. I believe it is calcium build up. I have also been shooting CLR between the handle and decorative sleeve in hopes to free it up but I don't think it is reaching the gear head where the handle attaches to the stem. Any other suggestions? Being a fiberglass shower stall I am limited to the leverage I can use as I don't want to crack it. I cannot get to it from the back as it is a 2nd floor shower and backs up to the very high open stair well.
I am truly banging my head against the wall at this point.
Thanks,
Doug
What can go wrong usually does at my place
I am truly banging my head against the wall at this point.

Thanks,
Doug
What can go wrong usually does at my place

#2
Group Moderator
#4
Cold Water Handle Stuck in Shower
Hi Pilot: I said handle remover tool, meaning the same as your handle puller.
Hi Norm: Any suggestions on how to break it safely without damaging anything else? I actually think it is a universal handle replaced sometime before I bought the house 6 months ago. I was thing of using my dermal with a small cutting wheel inside the handle by the attaching screw and cutting from the inside out in order to get the decorative sleeve and backing plate off the valve so I can remove the stem. What do you think?
Thanks,
Doug
What can go wrong usually does in my home
Hi Norm: Any suggestions on how to break it safely without damaging anything else? I actually think it is a universal handle replaced sometime before I bought the house 6 months ago. I was thing of using my dermal with a small cutting wheel inside the handle by the attaching screw and cutting from the inside out in order to get the decorative sleeve and backing plate off the valve so I can remove the stem. What do you think?
Thanks,
Doug
What can go wrong usually does in my home
#6
Hi Joe Caption, I have no idea what make or model as there are no markings on the 2 handled unit. I will try to take and attach a picture if someone would tell me how from my phone.
Thanks,
Doug
Thanks,
Doug
#7
In the following link is instructions for posting a picture. You would need to set your phone to a picture 600x600 in order to post directly to the board. If the picture is larger it would need to be hosted elsewhere and linked here.
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html
#9
Group Moderator
Yep, if penetrating oil and a handle puller won't get it off it's time to cut it off. Don't pull or pry on the handle as that may damage the shower or break the faucet body free from it's mounting. Use a hack saw or Dremel tool to make a cut on one side of the handle in towards the stem. Stop just before you get to the stem or if you see brass. Then insert a flat blade screw driver into the slot you just cut and twist to widen the slot. Keep prying and if you cut close enough to the stem the handle should split away. If that doesn't work then try pliers or Vice grips to peal open the handle.