How to remove escutcheon cap/handle base?

PhxPT · Apr 22, 2018

Hi,

Need help.

Trying to fix a leaky shower head. Trying to pull the cold side cartridge/valve to look it over, probably replace the rubber gasket.

Problem arises almost immediately. Handle held on by philips screw. Great. The rest of the handle? a escutcheon cap? will not come off.

Had this tool.....

But not successful. Applied a fair bit of force and the handle/cap thing didn't move. Afraid of really damaging something.

Any advise on how to get this thing (escutcheon cap/handle base) off so as I can get at the cartridge?

Thank You Much!

Jason

havasu · Apr 22, 2018

Did you try just unscrewing it?

PhxPT · Apr 22, 2018

havasu said:
Did you try just unscrewing it?

The only thing I've been able to remove so far is the handle - which was held on by a single phillips screw.

After that the "escutcheon cap/handle base/not sure what to call it" turns with the entire entire cartridge ... so it can't unscrew.

Thank You.

PhxPT · Apr 22, 2018

Close up when screwed all the way out:

Rickyman · Apr 22, 2018

Looks like Price Pfister aftermarket handles. Use that handle puller to get the rest of the handle off. You may need to squirt some wd-40 in where the screw was.

Worst case scenario is use a sawzall and slice off the handle. A new stem is probably $15 and that trim is fairly inexpensive also.