Stuck Delta Faucet Handle (2023 Update)

Heat with torch. Wear safety glasses!!

You don't have to remove the handle to work on the faucet, if you can reomve the big ring nut right under the handle. Which is the next step after removing the handle anyhow.

A rubber self-tightening strap wrench would be good for removing the big round nut. Wouldn't scratch, and they've been selling those things even at dollar stores in the last 3 or 4 years. Otherwise water pump pliers and something inside the jaws to protect the chrome.

And yes, sometimes the "seat" will stick on something and cause the handle to not move. The problem then is either the seat (replace both seats and springs) or the ball. If the ball needs replacing, then and only then you have to remove the handle, but at least you won't be bending over the sink. Try liquid wrench I suppose. They suggest tapping or hitting the item so that it vibrates and the liquid wrench works its way inside. Heating is good if it doesn't hurt the chrome

- about that I don't know.

This model conceals the big ring nut under a chrome cover which needs to be removed after the handle. :(

I might try the torch when I am prepared to sacrifice the handle as I also wonder about the chrome finish surviving the heat.

Thanks for the comments.

Before you do anything destructive give Delta a call. They are very helpful and in many cases not only will they give instructions but will supply the replacement parts at no cost. MLD

John,

I just had this problem with a delta faucet. Drill out the set screw.

Dave M.

Byetw, when you can't loosen a screw, try tightening it. Sometimes that frees it up.

This would also be a good time to have a left-handed drill bit, for driling the thing out, going counter clockwise. A good chance it would start to unscrew at a certain point, with enough thread in the hole to just use a new set scgrwe.

Harbor Freight now has a set of 4 LH drill bits, at a Chinese price.

And Vermont American has 2 or 3 sizes. The small one(s) is/are cheap.

No Harbor Freight near me [in Hawaii] and shipping is usually an insult. The LH drills are on my list of fun stuff to buy next time I'm in Manila. :)

You can sharpen a RH drill bit so that it will cut when turning CCW.

You'll have to pull it out of the hole frequently to clear the chips, but it's worth a try for your one time application, providing that allen head screw isn't too hard.

And when done, you can jusr resharpen it back to being a RH drill .

Jeff

------------------------------------- Here's what worked for me today: Buy a can of compressed "air" for dusting photos, lenses, etc. Insert the Allen wrench into the setscrew and heat the wrench with a torch (thus sparing the faucet handle). Wait for the heat to migrate into the screw and handle, remove the wrench, then invert the can of "air" (which will produce super-cold liquid) and spray through the nozzle tube into the setscrew. This breaks the bond between setscrew and handle, allowing the screw to be removed. No drilling, no new parts, no handle damage!

I am going to try this procedure on some other allens that get stuck for my job.

Once its out dont forget to replace allen preferably with a stainless one but lube the hole well before installing new allen

Read your post just in time...I was trying to replace the springs and seats by removing the set screw which was stuck. Instead I just loosened the ring under the handle which, thankfully, I was able to turn by hand. After that, no problems!

I worked at a brand new harbor freight, the set up crew believes they will be getting a new store in hawaii soon:)

I quit because my bad knee was too painful. Nice co workers, nice management, nice customers....

Re: Delta Monitor Faucet handle

OMG ... same problem. I could not get that screw out of the Delta Monitor faucet handle. After MANY hours of sticking a q-tip soaked in CLR in the hole (keeping it wet) and tighten/loosen back and forth then soak some more. repeat. repeat. repeat. I finally got the screw loose and the handle off!!!!

Nine (9) year old thread.

But at least Bob is still here. It may give him great satisfaction to see name mentioned. (his? wisdom revived)

Yeah its kinda nice when old threads reappear. it reminds me of some of what was going on back then.

my dogs puddle and susie were still alive and healthy, my marriage was still together, stuff like that

No need to fly off the handle like you have a screw loose.

You playing country western records backwards, Bob?

Well duh, you have to let the penetrating oil soak in a while.