delta tub push button diverter stem HELP PLEASE!!!?

Question

I need to replace the diverter stem but the place where you put the wrench to turn the old one out is rounded off and I can not move it. Do you know any tricks? Is it taken out by turning counter clockwise? Would applying heat with a torch help or hurt. What tool would work best? No, I do not have any dynamite! This is one of those frustrating things that should be very easy but turns out to be a pain in the you know what. Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

Don't use heat, you might melt the plastic diverter; soak it with penetrating oil (Blaster PB or similar), use a hammer to tap the nut on it's flat face (do this for about 5 min.), try turning the nut with a small pipe wrench (righty tighty, lefty loosey); if this doesn't work buy a set of buy a "easy outs" from a hardware store (they look like weird drill bits), cut the actual stem of the diverter off where it meets your rounded nut but make sure you can still push the part inside the faucet body in further inside the faucet body, insert the correct size easy out on the hole in the nut the stem was in, push and turn the easy out counter clockwise and, pray that nut turns. If that doesn't work I'd just replace the faucet.

I'm a service plumber and I've had this problem with this same faucet before, it is one of the very few flaws Delta has put into their faucets. Your situation is not uncommon.

Answer 2

ues easy out sold at sears maybe other places. It is a type of bit that can remove most any thing. Bob Vila promotes this product.

Answer 3

Read the instructions.Seriously I'm not being an a**. They all have different ways to be installed.

Answer 4

If the only problem is rounding over, use channel-locks or vice-grip pliers.

Answer 5

Call the manufacturer.