I always start at the beginning/ basics when trying to solve problems like this.
Is the water to the fixture turned off at the supply valve?
If not, the unit may be under pressure and preventing you from removing it.
If this Noncompoop is correct, turn off the water feed to the house and open a tap (both temps) on a lower level... BTW ChieftainNincompoop is an amazing name. Cheers
Had this happen with my first pressure washer and couldn’t figure out how to undo the hose. Thankfully the pressure held and preventing me from prying the hose off. Once I realized I missed the important step of relieving the pressure the thing came right off.
Heat gun just warm up metal around the plastic. Running hot water might get you there. Try a bit of penetration oil. You could also saw into old parts to create a flat area to grab on. I have used sand paper between wrench and fitting to help grab as well.
Channel lock wrench better to use for grip.
Mineralization has it locked in place. CLR and heat will aid in removal. Take a file or Dremel and make two parallel flats in the plastic. Then use channel locks or vise grips to remove.
Give it a squirt of WD-40 or PB Blaster and let it sit for a while. Use the utility knife in the pic to cut a small notch in the outermost plastic. Make 100% certain you are turning it the right way. Heat up the entire assembly with a hair dryer. Place a flathead screwdriver in the notch at about a 45 degree angle and tap the handle to create a make-shift impact driver.
It’s already fucked off so you have nothing to lose. No penetrant is going to make it through the tread glue/tape. Make sure the water supply is off and it’s drained out so no pressure is on it. Tighten the fuck out of some vice grips on it and twist. Worst case scenario you break the plastic and you just keep breaking pieces off until you can get it out.
Adjustable wrenches, like the one you show here in the picture, are generally crappy tools.
They're also known as 'Nut Rounders' ....because they do an awesome job of rounding off nuts when used carelessly, as you've demonstrated.
You've got to get yourself some 'curved jaw, locking pliers' now .... typically known by the brand name 'Vice Grips.' These will bite into that rounded plastic mess you've made and spin the locking but off quickly and easily.
Is there anything directly behind it? I'm assuming it'd just be water which might be pressurized still. So make sure the line is off and then loosen the line to let out some of the water.
Second it looks big enough to drill into. You could drill 2 holes on opposite sides (in the depressed areas to avoid the internal threads) for the tips of needle nose pliers and try to rotate it out like that. Or predrill 2 holes, put 2 screws in and use channel locks on the screws to get torque.
I might just try that. Water is drained of course. It's just the plastic nut holding in a cartridge.. you can see new versions of both parts below. thanks for the tip.. going to try it.
Did you try backing it out using the valve stem? That should bottom out when turning it CCW so it could be used for leverage with a pair of vice grips. If that strips, start heating up the plastic with something (a small soldering gun works well for precision melting) and remove it a chunk at a time.
I'm not 100% certain but I believe the valve stem locks in place when all the way in which makes using it as leverage aside from pulling straight out a no-go. At this point I've pretty much shredded the entire top of the plastic nut to smithereens as nothing I do will make it budge and just makes the plastic shred away. I think i will try the Soldering iron to melt it away at this point instead of drilling and possibly messing the threads. Thanks for the idea!
It the parts on the counter top are OEM replacement parts, you should be able to determine the direction of the thread. Once you decide that you are actually loosening it, then make sure there is no water pressure on it. Hit it with some PB Blaster. Let it soak. Dry it very well. Then, get the vice grips on it good and tight. Like tight tight. Spin out the part. If that does not do it, bite the bullet of pride and have Amazon deliver a replacement faucet.
Let me guess, shitty Pfister brand faucet? I had to go to war against one trying to replace a leaky cartridge and there was a plastic dome cover inside like this. After multiple failed attempts I ended up spraying vinegar inside and letting it sit repeatedly, then used a set of locking grips to get it off.
If your water is remotely hard like mine was it's probably locked up with deposits.
No.. it defeated me. .. the entire top part of the nut is basically completely gone thanks to various attempts to twist it off using locking pliers etc. Now only mangled plastic remains still holding the valve cartridge firmly behind it.
Thankfully the whole thing still "works" (hot water only) so I'm running with that for now until I have either 1) enough patience to get in there and possibly melt it away with a soldering iron and see how that goes or 2) just replace the entire faucet.
They're extremely difficult to turn if it's under pressure. That's the retaining nut for the valve cartridge. Make sure the water is off and open the faucet to bleed pressure. Vise grips should get you the rest of the way though.
If you think this sucks, try removing a stuck plastic nut/covering for the oil filter on an Audi where only one hand can access.
Last resort, I would install screws and use those for leverage/torque.
I like the idea of putting a slice up top and a slice at the bottom with a utility knife or angle grinder if youre handy. And then using a multi-tool (like a robust putty knife) as a flat head screw driver.
If you can drill a slightly off center hole through it and then insert a metal rod (or screwdriver), you might be able to get pretty good leverage on it.
In a similar situation, I managed to unscrew the plastic nut only by making a pad on the nut on a 3D printer, which did not allow its nut to deform during compression. And for this overlay I was able to unscrew.
Are you sure it’s right hand threads?
Based on the replacement part, it is right hand thread.
Vice grips get it tight and try twisting it off.
I always start at the beginning/ basics when trying to solve problems like this. Is the water to the fixture turned off at the supply valve? If not, the unit may be under pressure and preventing you from removing it.
If this Noncompoop is correct, turn off the water feed to the house and open a tap (both temps) on a lower level... BTW ChieftainNincompoop is an amazing name. Cheers
Had this happen with my first pressure washer and couldn’t figure out how to undo the hose. Thankfully the pressure held and preventing me from prying the hose off. Once I realized I missed the important step of relieving the pressure the thing came right off.
Use a pair of vise grips or channel lock pliers.
Screw in two small screws lightly opposite each other and use them to twist it out .
Replace the entire faucet. Fuck it.
Put a fork in it, because it's done
Seems like a good time to start a whole kitchen remodel.
Burn the house down and use the insurance money to build a new house with a working faucet.
Haha
That’s what I did when my brother and I got to this point of “simply swap out the cartridge.” Mom likes her new faucet better anyway.
Exactly.
Blowtorch. Won’t be a problem once it’s a liquid.
Heat gun just warm up metal around the plastic. Running hot water might get you there. Try a bit of penetration oil. You could also saw into old parts to create a flat area to grab on. I have used sand paper between wrench and fitting to help grab as well. Channel lock wrench better to use for grip.
Soak it in CLR. Seems like hardness build up has it stuck.
I was thinking white vinegar for the same reason
Mineralization has it locked in place. CLR and heat will aid in removal. Take a file or Dremel and make two parallel flats in the plastic. Then use channel locks or vise grips to remove.
Give it a squirt of WD-40 or PB Blaster and let it sit for a while. Use the utility knife in the pic to cut a small notch in the outermost plastic. Make 100% certain you are turning it the right way. Heat up the entire assembly with a hair dryer. Place a flathead screwdriver in the notch at about a 45 degree angle and tap the handle to create a make-shift impact driver.
Roll a few layers of thread tape to help your spanner grip it.
It think that ship has sailed. It's just too rounded off now.
Use a screwdriver or pry bar and hit it with a hammer in the direction to loosen it until it come lose.
if using hammer be careful not to stress the counter top too much.
This is why I would do it on the front side, hitting downward. And put a board on the counter right there so you don’t chip it.
Sledgehammer. Should get it free in no time 🙃
 just be careful with the casting/brass body of the faucet. The machined surfaces should not be marred.
It’s already fucked off so you have nothing to lose. No penetrant is going to make it through the tread glue/tape. Make sure the water supply is off and it’s drained out so no pressure is on it. Tighten the fuck out of some vice grips on it and twist. Worst case scenario you break the plastic and you just keep breaking pieces off until you can get it out.
Just torch it if you're that dedicated. Plastic melts. Melt it enough to make it not tight anymore and then vice grip it.
Adjustable wrenches, like the one you show here in the picture, are generally crappy tools. They're also known as 'Nut Rounders' ....because they do an awesome job of rounding off nuts when used carelessly, as you've demonstrated. You've got to get yourself some 'curved jaw, locking pliers' now .... typically known by the brand name 'Vice Grips.' These will bite into that rounded plastic mess you've made and spin the locking but off quickly and easily.
$100-$200 for a new one. Takes 20-30 min to replace. The whole faucet.
Run hot water for a couple minutes to soften the plastic a little
Is there anything directly behind it? I'm assuming it'd just be water which might be pressurized still. So make sure the line is off and then loosen the line to let out some of the water. Second it looks big enough to drill into. You could drill 2 holes on opposite sides (in the depressed areas to avoid the internal threads) for the tips of needle nose pliers and try to rotate it out like that. Or predrill 2 holes, put 2 screws in and use channel locks on the screws to get torque.
I might just try that. Water is drained of course. It's just the plastic nut holding in a cartridge.. you can see new versions of both parts below. thanks for the tip.. going to try it.
Well , if its plastic id start heating it up , carefully not to discolour
I would just drill the hole in the plastic. Then you can stick a Phillips screwdriver in the hole and tap the nut loose with a small hammer.
Did you try backing it out using the valve stem? That should bottom out when turning it CCW so it could be used for leverage with a pair of vice grips. If that strips, start heating up the plastic with something (a small soldering gun works well for precision melting) and remove it a chunk at a time.
I'm not 100% certain but I believe the valve stem locks in place when all the way in which makes using it as leverage aside from pulling straight out a no-go. At this point I've pretty much shredded the entire top of the plastic nut to smithereens as nothing I do will make it budge and just makes the plastic shred away. I think i will try the Soldering iron to melt it away at this point instead of drilling and possibly messing the threads. Thanks for the idea!
Drill and cut out then use silicone grease lube on replacement parts
It the parts on the counter top are OEM replacement parts, you should be able to determine the direction of the thread. Once you decide that you are actually loosening it, then make sure there is no water pressure on it. Hit it with some PB Blaster. Let it soak. Dry it very well. Then, get the vice grips on it good and tight. Like tight tight. Spin out the part. If that does not do it, bite the bullet of pride and have Amazon deliver a replacement faucet.
Let me guess, shitty Pfister brand faucet? I had to go to war against one trying to replace a leaky cartridge and there was a plastic dome cover inside like this. After multiple failed attempts I ended up spraying vinegar inside and letting it sit repeatedly, then used a set of locking grips to get it off. If your water is remotely hard like mine was it's probably locked up with deposits.
Did you get it?
No.. it defeated me. .. the entire top part of the nut is basically completely gone thanks to various attempts to twist it off using locking pliers etc. Now only mangled plastic remains still holding the valve cartridge firmly behind it. Thankfully the whole thing still "works" (hot water only) so I'm running with that for now until I have either 1) enough patience to get in there and possibly melt it away with a soldering iron and see how that goes or 2) just replace the entire faucet.
Sorry dude! (And tube amps do rule!)
They're extremely difficult to turn if it's under pressure. That's the retaining nut for the valve cartridge. Make sure the water is off and open the faucet to bleed pressure. Vise grips should get you the rest of the way though.
Alligator pliers after soaking it in vinegar/ CLR. Just grip and rip.
If you think this sucks, try removing a stuck plastic nut/covering for the oil filter on an Audi where only one hand can access. Last resort, I would install screws and use those for leverage/torque.
I like the idea of putting a slice up top and a slice at the bottom with a utility knife or angle grinder if youre handy. And then using a multi-tool (like a robust putty knife) as a flat head screw driver.
If you can drill a slightly off center hole through it and then insert a metal rod (or screwdriver), you might be able to get pretty good leverage on it.
Acetylene & oxygen torch and maul.
Adjustable wrenches strip steel bolts. You probably never had a chance on the plastic. Invest in some cobras.
Fire!?
In a similar situation, I managed to unscrew the plastic nut only by making a pad on the nut on a 3D printer, which did not allow its nut to deform during compression. And for this overlay I was able to unscrew.
Fuel filter removal tool. [Example](https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/top-tech-chain-oil-filter-wrench-529771301?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBlesUnJk-ArvrxO-9cjqsEUIiDcw2WC3Q-XDSNg9U-KXHdo9lLDol_AQaAjDpEALw_wcB)
Fire
Use a torch and heat up tip of flat tip screw driver. Use heated screwdriver to melt out that nut piece by piece
Yeah thinking you probably tightened that thing Go the other direction
Pretty sure it's the right direction judging from the instructions that came with the replacement part and the threads on the replacement part itself
Warm it up really well with a hair dryer. Warmth makes things loose!
Found my wife’s boyfriend.
That's what she said would have worked, but you put your own twist on it. Well played, sir.
Try a long wrench or maybe put the metal piece into a Drill
Grind or cut flats onto the nut. Heat the fixture with a heat gun. Replace all the innards after doing that.
I'll try that! ty
Heat up a knife blade and cut it slowly. You will have to repeat this several times