Hello to All,

Have a 3-stem valve bath/shower set: H&C are handles and the diverter is a knob [link below for exploded view]. The diverter is like it is frozen/glued and will budge thus not "divert" the water from the tub spout to the shower head. When working properly, the diverter knob is off at 3:00 oclock and you turn in CCW to 12 oclock and the water goes to the shower head.

I pulled the knob and outer/longer stem extension off and all the outside trim/etc, then was left with an outer brass nut/o-ring and the shorter inner stem. I took off the brass nut and was then looking at the inner stem/o-ring which was inside the brass shaft. I could not and cannot pull it out for anything.

the link below shows two diagrams: the first with a "horse-shoe" clip, and the second with a brass nut...the second diagram is mine...i cannot see any hs-clip and the hole where the brass shaft resides within the tile and hardy board is very small...I also sprayed both BP-Blaster and a Silicone spray into the hole where the stem resides and still nothing. What is going on here?

Here is the link and thank you very much..reward to whoever helps solve this one !!

Thank you,
tstex

http://www.moen.com/shared/doc...ts-views/82403pt.pdf

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tstex,

first, if you can access the valve assembly, moen has a lifetime warantee on its products, and will send you a new assembly or parts that you need. Contact them and explain the problem.
Second, in the meantime, soak the diverter stem with WD40 then apply heat with a hair drier untill it feels quite warm, immediatly shoch it with ice water. This will help break loose the mineral deposits / corrosion. Then squirt it with more WD40 and work the handle back and forth until you feel a little movement. Then it's just a matter of time until it breaks free
If all this fails---punt

Thanks Nona.

I called Moen early this morning and they are sending me a new diverter kit...thx Moen.

My nemesis at this time is just getting the stuck valve stem out of the brass shaft. I have sprayed both PB Blaster and a very good silicon spray into the valve housing where the v-stem is stuck. Due to the inacessibility of the hole [dia of hole is very close to the size of the brass valve], I can barely see the brass valve housing and where it "90's" into the main brass body, much less get a hair dryer. My access is the front of the brass housing and the plastic stem, and that is about it.

Thank you,
tstex

silicon spray wont do anything until the valve is loose. I mention WD40 because I haven't seen anything resist it yet
You might be able to access the valve for replacement from the other side of the wall by cutting an access hole and patching it afterward

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nona,

A deep well 6 point socket and a impact screw driver or a real impact gun will get it off.

The Pasco 7040 puller is made specifically for removing stuck Moen cartridges. It costs about $20.

http://www.pascospecialty.com/products/C4.pdf

http://www.faucetdepot.com/fau...l.asp?Product=21870&

Contact Pasco and confirm their 7040 tool will work on your diverter stem, and find out who you can order one from in your area.

http://www.pascospecialty.com/contact.php

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nestor,

Well, I was finally able to extract the old valve stem from the valve housing. I screwed-in the 3" bold all the way into the top of the plastic valve stem, then took my biggest vice grips and tightly secured it to the bolt...after moving around and pulling for a minute or 2, it finally released.

Question though...the brass part of the valve stem that was lodged had little to no corrosion or foreign deposits...mainly a little green discoloration. However, the bottom of the stem where it is slit diagonally, looked like it was filed/scarred to the shiny brass color.

Is there something going on here or am I reading too much into this? Moen is sending a diverter replacement kit, but I want to make sure it is not the valve housing that has an issue vs the old stem, to where the new stem may also get stuck?

Thank you,
Tstex

from what you describe, you should try to see inside the valve body for any galling or shiny area. If there is none then you should be good to go, but if there is ,then the whole assembly should be replaced. Either way, install the new parts, I would put some water resistant grease on the places that contact each other( personally, I believe the shiney area is from your efforts to remove the valve )
you have nothing to lose by installing the replacement parts, if it freezes up again, you would know the problem is in the housing and everything should be replaced

Parts in, new ones installed and everything works fine...I am going to keep the old parts and reference numbers just in case...never pulled a diverter valve stem before until now, but it is 10x's harder to pull than any faucet stem [removed many] that I have replaced...thx for everyones help, tstex

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tstex,