Jacuzzi tub cold faucet very hard to turn

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six50joe

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This tub was installed about 30 years ago. About a month ago, the cold faucet became very hard to turn. Not sure if there's a cartridge inside it that needs to be replaced, but I haven't figured out how to remove it. There is no access through a panel or anything, it's all tile around it. No way to get at it from the floor below it either without opening up a ceiling. I tried prying up on the faucet a bit to see if it came off to allow access but I stopped because while it has a very small amount of play it didn't come off and I don't want to risk damaging it. (see attached photos)

I loosened the round nut just below it, which turned very easily, but it stops once it becomes flush with the bottom of the faucet knob, only maybe 3/16 of an inch. The console "cover" then can move up just enough to see that there appears to be a nut below it- but I'm not sure what kind of wrench would be needed to turn it since the gap to access it is so thin, and I don't know if that's what should be done anyway. Grateful for any advice on how to proceed with this.

Thanks! Joe
 

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if the cold side is binding up because the bottom nut is loose you could use whats called a basin wrench from below or there is a tool called a basin buddy it fits on the end of a socket extension if the stem is just hard to turn you should be able to remove the handle...exposing the stem if its 30 years old replace it
 
Should I be able to pull the knob off in order to access the faucet internals, or are there designs where the knob is permanently mounted on the fixture?
 
I believe that that top “disk” comes off the handle. It may unscrew or take a razor blade or very small screwdriver and pry it up. Do you know the make? I think (don’t hold me to it) its a kohler valve.
 
I'm think you're right that it's a Kohler, but not 100% sure- I'm not physically at its location right now so I can't yet verify. I had been wondering if it unscrews myself. If the disk can be removed from the handle, do you have a recommendation for how to find out whether it should be unscrewed or pried? If I try the wrong one I'm worried I will damage it and make it unusable.
 
Use a spray like WD-40 or pb blaster. Let it sit. Old caps almost always unscrew. If that doesn’t work, I like razor blades because it forces me to be gentle. My apprentice likes the little screwdriver. Eventually you’ll have to go “all in” if you want to repair it. Send the pics to kohler, they will identify for free and send break downs too.
 
Thanks for this advice. I think I will contact Kohler per your suggestion. Maybe they will at least be able to confirm how the caps come off.
 
Kohler was able to identify the 30 yr old fixtures during my first call, just by seeing a picture of it and emailed me a blow up parts diagram. I had misunderstood what Dave meant by the disk on the cold water knob, I had thought the handle was all one solid piece. After understanding it all better, removing it and getting at the valve was super easy. It's too bad I slightly dented the escutcheon during my attempt to pry the handle off, I'm just lucky I stopped before really leaning on it.

For now, I just cleaned the valve but ordered replacements that I will install for hot and cold.

Thanks all for your help. The customer service from Kohler was so good, even for a really old set I'm going to be loyal to their products going forward.
 
Glad we could help. Sorry I wasn’t clear on the cap. Sometimes my translation works really good in my head and not just right on paper.
 
No worries Dave, if not for your advice here I might still be scratching my head as to what needs to be done, and at worst may have gone on to damage the faucet. Thanks again!
 

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