I have a steady leak coming from a Delta Monitor 1400 series tub/shower single handle faucet. I called Delta, and they told me to order a new cartridge. I was about to start this project, when I ran into a roadblock. The set screw in the handle was stripped. I tried various things recommended by people (use phillips screw driver, torx screw driver, etc...), but nothing worked. I was finally told that I needed to drill it out. It took me a while, but I was able to drill the set screw out. However, the handle still won't come off. I also tried lots of WD40 and white vinegar/warm water combination. So far, no luck. I'm afraid to use too much force on it.
Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong? Any other ideas on how to get the handle off.
It sounds like you did not get out all of the set screw. You will probably need to replace the handle anyhow, so I would not be too worried about damage at this point.
I am having the same problem. I tried using an extractor tool, and it broke off. Now, I need a cobalt drill to drill that and the set screw out. Once I do this, where can I get a new handle? Have you fixed yours yet?
sorry for the REALLY stupid question. which way to turn (loosen) the set screw. I've been trying counter but it doesn't budge. I don't want to go clockwise for fear of stripping it.
I found that the set screw can get rusted into place.
Pour some CLR into the hole and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
It should loosen the corrosion up and you can remove the screw.
CLR can be found at most home centers and sometimes even your local supermarket.
Once you get that set screw out removing the handle is just as difficult! Still trying to get mine off.
Depends on what the valve is secured to, and how. If it's just secured to the fiberglass, then not much, unless you want to put in a new T/S.
if it's secured to a block in the wall with a nice copper strap, you can probably pull pretty hard, but there's no telling whats actually in there. :no:
Your best bet is probably to find a handle puller.
Your other option (if you're going to buy a new cartridge anyway, is to just cut the handle and the brass spline off of the cartridge so you can access the necessary screws behind the darn thing. Worst case if you screw up your trim plate etc, then you'll need an entire trim kit and not just the handle.
oh boy. glad i'm not the only one put in these situations. all the posts above are excellent ideas and solutions. i'd suggest them all. these are the only suggestions i have on the issue. when a setscrew will not back off i hit it with a rust softner CLR's a great one as suggested. second if it won't move. you gotta drill that puppy out. here's the thing don't worry if you over drill a little as the valve *cartridge* you are going to replace also includes the part you may drill into a little. next if it's still not budging as stated above you have to take in to consideration how its fastened. if it won't just flop in the wall. i actually take a mallet and not with a force smack but a bounce smack, hit it up down left right repeatedly and then do it again while pulling on the handle at the same time.this usually is the magic touch on those goobers but if you still have no luck. its time to think about replacing the whole faucet. then you think about, well does the faucet back up to a closet wall where i can cut the sheet rock ect. hope this helps, but i stress with these handles, sometimes after hours of anguish it just takes the right smack at the right place and it just falls off good luck
I ran into the same problem after I stripped the set screw in the shower handle. I bought a 5/32" titanium drill bit and a drill bit extension so that the drill would have enough clearance over the shower handle. I drilled out the set screw and couldn't pull the handle off because the handle was apparently rusted onto the filter. Then I continued drilling until I went through the gold colored stem of the filter. This weakened the stem enough so that when I pulled the handle, the tip of the filter broke off. I removed the broken tip from the handle and replaced the entire filter cartridge.
The above posts helped but the real problem was that the Moen faucet handle had cracked inside where it attaches to the stem. Therefore, no amount of turning the set screw would allow me to change out the broken faucet handle because turning the screw would just turn the stem. Drilling out the set screw does not fix the problem though it may allow you to remove the broken faucet handle it may also damage the threads you will later need to put on a new handle. I found that by cutting off the sleeve of the broken handle I could hold the stem in place to allow me to remove the set screw and then attach a new faucet handle. Weak design to have such a thin wall securing the handle around the stem that easily breaks and is so difficult to replace.
Been having the same issue with delta faucet. I loosened up the alan screw but the handle comes off a bit but seems like it's stuck somewhere. My questions are. 1. Does the screw actually come off physically or does it just need to be loosened? 2. If it's loosened and the handle starts to come off where is it getting stuck and what's the best method of getting it off? 3. the leak has gotten worse over the few days and now the water coming out is hot though it's set into off position and the cold temp is the first temp...should I be worried?
im going to try with a flat head screw driver...I'll prob try finding out where the water valve is and turn it off first. Need to find the shutoff valve as it's not visible!
if all else fails can you get a hacksaw in the gap between handle and cut the end off the stem without banging up the faucet?
im sure thats not what you want to hear but then you should be able to unscrew the excusion and pull the cartidge out.
then you could replace the cartrige and install a new handle. :wink:
probably could get the hacksaw in there...but what will I be cutting just the cartridge? and how do I tighten the stupid thing once it's off? I guess buy a new handle? I'll check my Home Depot and see what they have
thx a lot will let you know how it goes. wish me luck my landlord should pay me fore saving him the hastle...I knew this would turn into a bigger problem
look for your water meter,theres normally a shut off on each side of it.
you might want to let your landlord know before attacking his plumbing with a hack saw though! :laughing:
What a timely thread for me. Parents down in FL have a dripping 20 year old Delta tub faucet and I promised to look at it when I get down there in a couple weeks. I expect to have most of the problems reported here.... faucet is in a fiberglass tub/shower surround, no local water shutoff valves (have to shut off the whole house), maybe a way to get at the back of the faucet by removing drywall in an adjacent bedroom, guaranteed to be corroded since this house was nailed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and lost all its shingles and got mostly wet and destroyed inside... but I think this tub and faucet survived. Of course won't have my tools with me. In other words this otherwise simple repair has the potential to turn into a holiday nightmare.
ok got this far....nothing broken..I think it was just the calcium buildup on the alan screw and my lack and scare of breaking it. I used a better alan key and it worked after a couple of cranks.
now what this looks foreign is the white thing my cartridge? if so how do I get it off
Again thanks...I'm glad I didn't use the hacksaw cuz I would have gone through the copper!
WOW! I only turned off the hot water when i removed the case to get to cartridge i was met with a nice cold powerful shower! got it off finally cartridge in hand on my way to depot!
removing frozen delta shower handle off after removing the hex screw
I had the same problem my show head, I couldn't remove it after trying different methods (pulling, WD-40 etc). But I got it off by applying touch heat at the top of handle where the spindle is located at. Try applying heat 30 sec at a time, if you overheat it will melt the plastic part (bushing) next to the spindle. Now I'm trying to get the bonnet nut off the valve body; I found that strap ranch is way to go.
ok. So I am reading this and just bought a $30 cartage. My set screw is totally stripped. After reading about all the other problems with this, has anyone tried just taking a sawzall to the whole fixture and putting a new one on? My local big box sells what I think is almost the same for about $45
bc320: Try a screw extractor to remove the set screw. Make sure you use the right size for the stripped hole. Cheaper and easier than replacement unless you hate the fixture.
We had an old junker that we ripped out and replaced for a guy, and couldn't get the handle off.
I tried drilling out the setscrew, and it DID NOT WORK. The setscrew was so much harder than the handle, the drill bit just kept walking off the setscrew and cutting into the handle. I was shocked.
If you're going to try to cut it, you'll need to be very careful that you don't snap a stem off of it or something when you're cutting. If you damage the cartridge it will need to be replaced, and without a stem, you might put yourself in a position to where the entire valve needs to be replaced.
I do agree with the screw extractor, however, if you haven't tried that yet.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
DIY Home Improvement Forum
3.1M posts
319.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Helping You to Do It Yourself!