Shower diverter valve help please

[Lu-Max]

I recently bought a 1952 house and I'm trying to get many long neglected parts of it functioning again.

In one shower the diverter valve is frozen, no safe amount of torque that I can put on it will break it loose. I want to replace the valve core but I cannot get the stub out. I removed the handle, escutcheon, inner and outer retainers, but it still will not budge. Won't turn, won't wiggle.

Any help would be appreciated, I really don't want to knock a hole in the tile and wall and replace the entire thing, simply no time for that now. I need to get the shower functioning. Both water valves function normally. Also can't get at it from the back due to obstruction.

Thanks.

 

[Jess]

As an interim, change the spout to one with a hand shower attached and use that until you are ready for to tear down the wall. I used that solution in a rental and it served for several years before we did a complete unit reno.

 

[Lu-Max]

That will be my fall back option Jess, thanks.
I still would prefer to get it working if possible though.

 

[Kaizen]

Nope. Had the same problem on both of my showers. That and the handles corroded to the point of me breaking them. But my tile was **** so I didn't care. yours is nice. hope you get it. all my "tricks" are last ditch efforts. example smack the stem straight on to hopefully break the corrosion.
When I went to do the 2nd shower I didn't even bother. just pulled the wall down from the other side. Not sure what your obstruction is.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

A few treatments of CLR (to clean up corrosion lime and rust).
Several application of Penetrating oil
Heat
Plenty of patience.

 

[LuvAZ]

I recently dealt with what appears to be a very similar issue, too.

I found this tool @ HD and it worked like a champ. Without it, there was no way I would have been able to remove that old valve without some extensive damage!



HTH,
Will