I have a 90 year old house. Tub/shower plumbing is at least 50 years old but was working fine save a very small drip. I thought I'd just replace the seats and stems, but it has turned into an odyssey!
This is a sears fixture, and I found the model number 3302048 on the escutcheon - here's the suggested replacement stem
and info on an alternate part on the sears website and took that info to my local plumbing shop. They said these were made by Bradley and are an unusual design.
Stem and seats are attached, no locking nut just a cap with a notch on the stem and a slot on the pipe to hold the stem in place. After a lot of work just to get the old stuff detached, I cleaned out the pipes with citric acid and a wire brush. Last night I was able to use the shower but the stems still spun - they weren't locking in the slot.
Today I went back to plumbing shop and tried to see if there was anything I was missing. They said the notch must go into the slot. (Since I can't get it in, do I try to sand it down??) But now today I put it all together and used a screwdriver to hold the stem in as much as possible (while open) and screwed the cap on and thought it was all working.... and then I turned on the water and nothing happened. Here's what it looks like when inserted before the cap is on.
No water to tub or shower. Though once I turn off the water and disassemble there is water pressure built up in whichever stem I loosen first. I appreciate any advice! Thanks
[/IMG]
This is a sears fixture, and I found the model number 3302048 on the escutcheon - here's the suggested replacement stem
Stem and seats are attached, no locking nut just a cap with a notch on the stem and a slot on the pipe to hold the stem in place. After a lot of work just to get the old stuff detached, I cleaned out the pipes with citric acid and a wire brush. Last night I was able to use the shower but the stems still spun - they weren't locking in the slot.
Today I went back to plumbing shop and tried to see if there was anything I was missing. They said the notch must go into the slot. (Since I can't get it in, do I try to sand it down??) But now today I put it all together and used a screwdriver to hold the stem in as much as possible (while open) and screwed the cap on and thought it was all working.... and then I turned on the water and nothing happened. Here's what it looks like when inserted before the cap is on.
No water to tub or shower. Though once I turn off the water and disassemble there is water pressure built up in whichever stem I loosen first. I appreciate any advice! Thanks
Last edited:
