Broken Shower Arm Removal

My thin-wall (1/2") shower arm is broken, and the broken threaded part of the arm remains in the elbow. The arm has an actual external diameter of about 3/4", and an internal diameter of about 5/8". I tried an internal pipe wrench (1/2") to remove the threaded part, but it did not work because the internal pipe wrench is for galvanized pipes which have internal diameters of about 1/2". I also tried a huge but long screw extractor that can fit 5/8" pipes. However, there isn't enough clearance in the elbow for the screw extractor (length-wise) to grip onto the broken threaded part.

Questions:
Can I remove the broken threaded part that remains in the elbow without tearing down the wall?

Are there short screw extractor out there that I can use?

If so, how?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

I swear I replied to this earlier, but it's not there.

Anyway, I can suggest two approaches:

1) If you can get a small chisel in there, you might be able to peel one section of the arm away from the elbow, and slice it. Then peel it out of the elbow with a pair of needle-nose pliers.

2) If I understand you, the screw extractor bottomed out in the elbow before "grabbing" the pipe segment. If so, cut off the end of the extractor so it will be able to get in deep enough. You'll have to use a die grinder or other metal cutoff wheel, since this is a hardened steel object.

In any case, be as careful as possible not to damage the threads in the elbow. When you install the new pipe, use plenty of tape and dope.

A pipe extractor with the end sawed off.

I use one of these sometimes



to remove the broken part of the arm...it takes a while and you have to be careful but you can pry the threads out enough that eventualy you can spin the remainder..flush the riser out before installing the new arm...many times the threads come out as little peices...if the female threads become dammaged you can chase them with a peice of steel pipe or a thread chaser...You can pick them up at Low*s

arm

I use a three jaw expanding internal wrench to remove them.