0

I have a plastic "retainer sleeve" that threaded into my shower faucet handle a bit off and is now stuck. Any advice on getting this piece off?

enter image description here

Improve this question
2
  • With or without destroying the plastic?
    – UnhandledExcepSean
    Sep 7 '18 at 19:49
  • Either way will work for me!
    – user90863
    Sep 7 '18 at 19:51
2

Your shower faucet handle appears to be made of metal. Heat the metal by soaking it in hot water for a while. Then try unscrewing the sleeve. The heated metal should expand making the threads looser.

Be careful to avoid buring yourself with hot metal.

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    You can also stick some ice cubes inside the plastic to shrink the plastic a little. When the plastic is good and cold, put the whole thing in hot water to expand the metal, or use a heat gun or hair dryer on a low setting on the metal.
    – fixer1234
    Sep 8 '18 at 21:00
0

I've had luck in the past using a flat head screw driver or an awl to remove stuck pieces of threaded plastic. It will damage if not ruin the plastic piece, but if you drive the point in a bit and then angle the piece, you can slowly cause it to unscrew enough to get a pair of vise grips to finish it.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.