Can't Unscrew Kitchen Tap Cover

[Glosguy]

See two photos.


Hot tap on left keeps dripping, even a continuous flow sometimes. We've managed to get the top off and can see the ceramic cartridge inside, but we can't unscrew the next vertical body section (think it's called "the shield) to get at it. Amazingly, there's no indentations on the shield to allow a wrench to get a purchase, so it just slides about ineffectively and we can't get any further.

Can anyone advise please, how we might get the shield part freed and unscrewed to get at the cartridge?

 

[Simon F]

it is probably crusted up inside hence not undoing, should only be finger tight.
( dont rule out possibility of being push fit )
try one of the rubber grip things or similar to get it moving.

Draper 2 Piece Soft Grip Strap Wrench Set : Tooled-Up.com

Toolstation > Hand Tools > Plumbers Tools > Wide Jaw Plumbing Pliers

 

[Whyme]

as simon said i use a boa rubber strap if there threaded (saves scratching)

 

[solutions]

As they are quarter turn taps unless you know the brand of taps or know you can match and source the right cartridge you may as well replace the whole tap.

 

[Glosguy]

Thanks for all the replies. Decided in the end to replace the taps.

 

[armyash]

it is probably crusted up inside hence not undoing, should only be finger tight.
( dont rule out possibility of being push fit )
try one of the rubber grip things or similar to get it moving.

Draper 2 Piece Soft Grip Strap Wrench Set : Tooled-Up.com

Toolstation > Hand Tools > Plumbers Tools > Wide Jaw Plumbing Pliers

another reason i love this forum - i see tools that i don't have but i know i will need to buy them as they will one day make my life easier!

 

[lame plumber]

tea towel and pump pliers, save wasting your money

rubber strap grips slip or just break and the wide jaw grips just dont, tried them both and gone back to the tea towel, if the cover is that tight the chrome is going to be damaged, taps need replacing

 

[armyash]

tea towel and pump pliers, save wasting your money

rubber strap grips slip or just break and the wide jaw grips just dont, tried them both and gone back to the tea towel, if the cover is that tight the chrome is going to be damaged, taps need replacing

Ok thanks I won't buy them after all then. Tea towel it will have to be!

 

[Ray Stafford]

Tea towel it will have to be!

And now we get a long thread about what brand of tea-towel. Some will insist that you need a Marks and Spencer luxury Egyptian cotton tea-towel, whilst others swear by Asda own brand.

 

[Ermintrude]

I like thick woven dishcloth damp not wet