Grr, get this top off?

[JohnD]

following my earlier "success" I had a look at a stiff tap in the utility room.

This one has a cross-head, the coloured spot on top doesn't appear to prise out, but I took out the grub-screw from the collar just under the handle, and gave it some good taps with a two pairs of adjustable spanners.

Can't get the top off, so can't remove the shroud, so can't get the innards out.

What's the best way?

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[howy1]

If i remember rightly you lift shroud put spanner on brass hex and turn tap clockwise till the star handle prizes off ...hopefuly

 

[tincup]

Hi John.
Put it back on tap body then two pieces of wood one either side of the stem between the handle and the shroud, tighten tap handle.

HTH

 

[JohnD]

thanks for the idea. I just gave it a try... but no. the shroud started to distort under pressure, but the handle didn't shift at all.

It does not look scaly.

 

[gigz]

Give it a squirt of wd40 (in-between stem and taptop) let it soak a bit then give the top a good wack away from shroud. Mind your fingers though.

 

[Softus]

I once met a tap whose handle refused to come off. It was cheaper to replace the tap than to continue ars*ng around with it.

Some others have been difficult, but always (with that one exception) succumbed to one of these:

 

[ChrisR]

It's not worth faffing about too much. You could try heating the cross up, but if that doesn't work these are only a tenner:

or a new pair of basic taps not a lot more.