In our bathroom we have a standard Gerber widespread faucet on a cast iron pedestal sink. After 22 years even though the cold water faucet was not dripping, I decided it was time to change the washer. (The washer on the hot water faucet has been changed a few times). Well, first the deep set screw that holds down the faucet handle would not come out. I stripped the head and had to drill it out with a left-handed drill bit. Then the handle would not come off without using a handle puller and a lot of torque. So now I need to remove the stem assembly, but it won't budge. Tried Liquid Wrench, a car store product called CFC Freeze-it and finally both Kroil and Aero Kroil. The stem assembly still wouldn't budge. I can't apply excessive torque as the whole assembly will turn. Is there anything else to try such as heat (I have one of the tiny lighter sized butane torches) and if so how should I do this? If nothing works, I will call a plumber to replace the faucet as I'm too lazy to crawl under the sink and remove the connection to the tap and the cold water supply and then try to get the faucet off.
- posted
15 years ago