Wide spread bath faucet cartridge really stuck, nothing on internet

[Higg71]

Hi all,

i have a leaky tub we never used since buying the house and decided to change the cartridges. The Right handle cartridge was replaced easily. Of course it wasn’t causing the leak.

When I took off the left handle I found this. I can’t get the cartridge to turn at all, most tools won’t even grip, and 3 different bolt extractors failed.

Wondering if I can drill it out or if anyone has any ideas. Unfortunately they did not build an access door to get underneath, so I’d have to remove tile, which I’d rather avoid. Thx so much!

Picts if the new one included as well.

Scott

 

[Jeff Handy]

Hopefully, there is an access panel to get under that faucet.

It looks like you can get an adjustable wrench on that big nut sitting on the tub deck.
You might also need to have a wrench on a nut under the tub deck, or on the valve body.

Then you can remove that top nut, and that whole valve should drop out.

You will still have to unscrew the hose connecting it to the rest of the faucet.

The manufacturer would likely send you new parts, if you can find a brand name, or a sticker on parts underneath.

It looks like Kohler at first glance.

Post more pics of the whole faucet, hopefully someone will recognize it.

Since you already changed one stem cartridge, you must know the brand, right?

 

[breplum]

you are in big s-it.
drill and screw extractor maybe.
Be prepared to do major surgery and/or hire a licensed professional from a small highly regarded shop. Still may be major surgery. Expect to spend over $1,000.
Get a RX for Prozac or at least Valium first.

 

[Higg71]

Thanks to you both. It is Brizo RSVP ROMAN TUB/WHIRLPOOL FAUCET TRIM.
Brizo RP40128 Cold 3/4 Valve Cartridge, Brizo RP40129 (hot).
More picts attached.
No access panel.
Drill and extractor sound easier and a big difference vs the major surgery; are you suggesting trying that first, then if fail, go for major surgery?
Thanks so much!

 

[Geofd]

Try a socket set........

 

[Higg71]

Thx. Nut totally stripped and rounded. Going to try the screw extractor idea.

 

[breplum]

water will need to be off for a long time once u start drilling !!!!!!!
And, code requires permanent access panel when there are spray hose mechanical connections, like you have!
They don't just make codes up for no reason.
Those pull out spray hoses are guaranteed to break, so access is always required.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Is there enough room in there to grab the rounded cartridge with a vice grip pliers?

Can you cut an access through the wall behind the faucet?

 

[Higg71]

water will need to be off for a long time once u start drilling !!!!!!!
And, code requires permanent access panel when there are spray hose mechanical connections, like you have!
They don't just make codes up for no reason.
Those pull out spray hoses are guaranteed to break, so access is always required.

Thanks. Yes, we found a lot of things not up to code over the last 5 years since buying the house. We believe they previous owners did a lot of stuff with unlicensed workers on the cheap. Can't speak to why inspectors missed these things.

If I start drilling, create an open whole, and can't complete the job, is there anything I can do to plug it to turn water back on until it can be fully addressed?

Really appreciate your insights and willingness to engage.

 

[Higg71]

Is there enough room in there to grab the rounded cartridge with a vice grip pliers?

Can you cut an access through the wall behind the faucet?

Yes, there is enough room, but nothing will grip, I have tried vice grips, bolt extractor sockets, wrenches. I have blasted it with products for losening frozen bolts. Nothing.

I assume the larger ring against the marble is attached to the hose, so can't try to loosen that. I lock in place when trying to remove the cartridge.

I would have to cut through a marble bench in the shower to get in from behind, or marble tile on the side. See picts.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Your pictures don’t give a good wide angle view of where you would need to cut through, with the faucet also in the picture.

But wherever you decide to cut, and you will have to eventually, so may as well do it now, you can carefully cut through the grout line around a big marble piece, then keep going all the way through.

You will likely need to do some reframing, once you figure out where the best access route will be.
To maintain structural support.

I have made a few of those after-the-fact access openings.

Sometimes I have made them look fairly hidden, with strong magnets holding the access panel back on.

But you could also drill screw holes, and cover them with nice little chrome buttons or whatever.

You should first hire a good tile guy to make your new fancy access, then a plumber to fix the faucet.

If you mangle the faucet trying to get that cartridge out, and it starts leaking, will the whole house need to have the water off?
Or are there local shutoff valves?

 

[Higg71]

Your pictures don’t give a good wide angle view of where you would need to cut through, with the faucet also in the picture.

But wherever you decide to cut, and you will have to eventually, so may as well do it now, you can carefully cut through the grout line around a big marble piece, then keep going all the way through.

You will likely need to do some reframing, once you figure out where the best access route will be.
To maintain structural support.

I have made a few of those after-the-fact access openings.

Sometimes I have made them look fairly hidden, with strong magnets holding the access panel back on.

But you could also drill screw holes, and cover them with nice little chrome buttons or whatever.

You should first hire a good tile guy to make your new fancy access, then a plumber to fix the faucet.

If you mangle the faucet trying to get that cartridge out, and it starts leaking, will the whole house need to have the water off?
Or are there local shutoff valves?

Thanks. Whole house.

 

[Geofd]

there are sockets for stripped lug nuts....I have a set, maybe that will work

 

[Higg71]

there are sockets for stripped lug nuts....I have a set, maybe that will work

tried it, did not work, thanks!

 

[Geofd]

Is it possible to cut it out from below I know it will cost you a faucet maybe a Dremel tool???????

 

[Higg71]

Is it possible to cut it out from below I know it will cost you a faucet maybe a Dremel tool???????

nope, thx though.