Which sort of wrench needed for recessed valve?

CLamb

Here is a photo of a recessed shower valve. Which sort of wrench is needed to remove the stem? I know there are hollow hex wrenches (which can remove the sleeve in this case) but a hex wrench won't fit over something with just two flats.

Jamie Hall

I'm quite sure there is a special wrench. That said, I've always had pretty good luck with a very good crescent wrench, carefully adjusted to fit... just the tips on the flats.

Unless someone really reefed on the things, should work.

Intplm.

@CLamb A company by the name of "Brass Craft" Makes a set of
---shower valve socket wrenches--- made for exactly what you
have in your picture above.
Do a quick google search, Im sure they are easy to find, and can be purchased at most hardware stores.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@CLamb "basin wrench" might work if it's the big hex nut your talking about. Big box stores usually have them or a plumbing supply house.

Or you take the whole drain out of the tub which is probably where your going to end up

STEAM DOCTOR

There definitely is a special wrench for they type of cartridge. Similar to the hex wrenches but shaped and sized to fit the two flats

george_42

brasscraft wrench BrassCraft Mfg SFD0408 , it is about $35

SlamDunk

Big box stores and harbor freight sells faucet sockets for this job. Works great. About ten bucks.

Intplm.

@Clamb Here is another manufacturer. This tool is made for exactly what you are doing.
There are other manufacturers too. Your nearby hardware store might have a set in stock.

STEAM DOCTOR

> @Intplm. said:
> @Clamb Here is another manufacturer. This tool is made for exactly what you are doing.
> There are other manufacturers too. Your nearby hardware store might have a set in stock.

The hex wrenches do not work on cartridges with two flats

Intplm.

STEAM DOCTOR said:

> @Intplm. said:

> @Clamb Here is another manufacturer. This tool is made for exactly what you are doing.

> There are other manufacturers too. Your nearby hardware store might have a set in stock.



The hex wrenches do not work on cartridges with two flats

That's correct. And his picture shows six flats, just like the deep shower stem socket set I posted above. That type of set is what he should use.

STEAM DOCTOR

Not so sure. There is a hex nut. But behind the hex nut is a second nut with two flats. I think that the second nut needs to be removed if you want to remove the whole stem. Could be wrong.

CLamb

Yes, @STEAM DOCTOR , you are right it is the one with two flats which I want to remove.

@george_42 that one looks like the right shape now I just have to check to see if it is the right size.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Are you sure there are only two flats? I've never seen a valve with just two.

Intplm.

I agree with @Alan (California Radiant) Forbes There are NOT two flats to be used for service. Sure there are two "flats?" The hex wrench set pictured above is the proper tool for this valve stem. Unless of course this is something "odd ball" that I have never seen before.
The off round molding behind the hex is a molded casting of the hex. Otherwise a basin wrench will be needed or a special unforeseen type of tool specially made for this brand valve stem will be needed.
@Clamb , Please post your findings when you discover what you needed to do. You might need both tools.

Larry Weingarten

Hello, This could be a two-step process. Use a deep well socket on the hex first. Once that's out of the way, a crescent or using parallel jaw pliers could get to the flats if needed. Once the actual hex part is off, you may only need a seat wrench to get to the valve seat to resurface or replace.

Yours, Larry

STEAM DOCTOR

Check out pics. Designed for precisely this type of stem

CLamb

Excellent @STEAM DOCTOR . Now where can I get one? What is it called?

I did remove the hex nut which was just the packing/sleeve nut. A crescent wrench won't fit into the hole. An open end wrench fits in but doesn't get a good enough grip. A 1" nipple fits nicely over the round part so I put the end of once in a vise and flattened it. Using the nipple as a socket (and turning it with a pipe wrench) was better but the flat on the nipple rounded out. Tomorrow I will probably try to make an insert for a 1" nipple and solder it to the inner wall to grip the nut.

With Teflon tape on the threads I'm surprised it is so hard to turn. I don't want to put too much force on the valve because I don't know what is holding it in place. Ideally, only a torque should be applied. The back is inaccessible except through the basement ceiling underneath requiring a 4' arm to reach. I tried putting some Kroil on the threads. I don't want to apply a torch to it out of fear of starting a fire within the wall.

The first photo shows the valve (hot water) with the hex sleeve removed. The second photo shows the adjacent cold water valve.

STEAM DOCTOR

@CLamb. Wish that I remember. I picked one up years ago at Alfano Plumbing Supply on Roosevelt Ave in Corona NY. Maybe give them a call and see if they can help you.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, Have a look here! http://www.faucetshark.com/Price-Pfister-Shower-Stem-Removal-Wrench-p/kiss-08-9416.htm

Yours, Larry
ps. Rats! I thought I had it, but that isn't the right one. They do have others that look similar. If you have the valve maker's name, they might have a match.
pps. I see they have tools for Indiana Brass, American Standard, and Savoy, made by Kissler.

Intplm.

A basin wrench, if it will fit, might be next. You might need to chip away some of the grout to fit the basin wrench in there. Darn it all that you need both.

mercedes

Hello

Would a crow foot wrench work?

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=crow+foot+wrench

Intplm.

@mercedes Thats a good idea to try that tool.
The trouble with these things is you can't tell what you are looking at from the pictures provided or the amount of room needed to access something in such a tight space.
That tool might fit in that tight space. A good thought.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

Well, I'll be. That's a first for me.

I've had pretty good luck with such things by using needle-nose vice grips to clamp the flats and then a perpendicular crescent wrench on the jaws of the vice grips to loosen the valve.

I'd also spray some Kroil Oil or some other penetrating material in there to help it along.

woodrow

time for a new valve

pecmsg

and next time Never Seize the threads!

STEAM DOCTOR

It's literally a 10 second removal with the correct tool.

Intplm.

Wish I knew the correct name for that tool. PIA one more thing !

Larry Weingarten

Hello, When looking around, it got called a "stem removal wrench". Faucetshark.com has them.

Yours, Larry

CLamb

Thanks @Larry Weingarten I think I've ordered the correct wrench I'll see when it gets here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/American-Standard-Shower-Stem-Removal-Wrench-Colony-08-9419-/192147505400

@woodrow If I could replace the valve without breaking up the tile wall I'd do it immediately.

billtheplmbr3845

Supplyhouse.com
PN/ SFD0408
Mixete old style valve body wrench
You may want to put the packing nut back in while trying to get it apart with a home made tool so you don't out of round the part, I believe the correct tool will go over the packing nut. Just my 2cents.

CLamb

I was unable to find a commercial wrench which fit so I made one myself by taking a length of 1" pipe and soldering some finishing nails to the inside for something to catch on the flats of the valve nut. At first I tried just squishing the 1" pipe into an oval but it rounded right out when I tried to use it. The stem didn't come out easily even with the tool. However when I heated it with a torch until the penetrating oil started to smoke it easily came out.

The homemade wrench:

The inside of the wrench:

The stem without the packing nut/sleeve:

The valve seat after stem removal: