Broken Bathtub Faucet Stem

Fix a broken ball handle on a bathtub faucet with help from a longtime plumber in.

Broken bathtub faucet stem.

Place a socket wrench over the bathtub faucet stem until it covers the hex nut. Reinsert the valve stem and tighten the stem in its socket using a wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the nut until you can pull the stem free. How to replace a single hot cold bathtub knob.

The broken cartridge is not easy to get out and moen makes a moen cartridge puller that you can use to pull the valve out. Repeat the steps if you have a two handle system. Faucet stems are raised and lowered when you turn the handle. To replace the stem clear any rust wax or caulk from around the base then loosen the bolts that hold it together with an adjustable wrench if the bolts are located in the wall use a socket wrench to remove them.

First unscrew the packing nut. If the stem is failing it may not be fully blocking the stream of water. However the valve puller screws into the shaft of the valve stem which in our case broke off pic below. Look at each piece and if necessary replace all of them otherwise just replace the faulty ones.

Wiggle the handle and pull it off. You have now learned how to fix a broken bathtub faucet handle. So check if the washer is broken or not. After this the next step is to identify the faulty parts of a faucet stem.

This prompts the water flow. A broken ball handle will require a few specific tools to properly repair. You may need a faucet handle puller if the handle will not come off by hand. A shows the bathtub plumbing faucet stem replacement parts and how to prepare the stem for reinstallation.

Lubricate the parts with special plumber s grease. So i wasn t able to use the moen valve cartridge puller. Replace the faucet knob over the stem secure with the handle screw and replace the protective cap. Insert the packing nut into the stem and tighten it.

If you re working on a two handled faucet we recommend replacing the washers and seats in both the hot and cold valves. Restore the water supply.