How to make tub faucet handle stick to splines without a screw

[Garn]

The plastic handles for hot and cold on my tub faucet work perfectly except for falling off occasionally because the screws that used to hold them onto the stems have rusted away and have no heads. I might be able to use a screw extractor to remove what's left of the rusted screws, but they're so small, it seems more difficult than just applying something sticky to the brass splines so that the handles will come off only if deliberately pulled. Any suggestions on something that would remain sticky but not harden into a permanent glue?

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

Yikes. Yeah, a screw extractor is bound to fail. Someone at some point replaced the factory screws with something too ferrous..

Of course since I have to warranty my work, I've never attempted to silicone handles splines.. but it seems like it would work to fill the gaps with something sticky, but that would eventually give way when pulled on hard enough..

 

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[Reach4]

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[Jeff H Young]

goop , or glue as you please but thats not trade policy thats one way of a plumber to get 2 checks at the end of the day.

Reach 4 got idea owner might find a handle with a set screw.

If an owner wants me to glue something like that theyll know that this is not a proper repair and no warranty on it.

 

[Anthony M]

Can you find replacement valves with better stems? Have you looked?

 

[Garn]

Thank you all for your replies. I thought I'd be notified when replies were posted and just decided today to check in case the notifications had failed. I know something sticky to make it work isn't something a pro would normally do, but it will be fine for my purposes if the handles will remain removable, but only by deliberate effort. Otherwise, handles with set screws would be the next alternative, possibly preceded by trying to install set screws in the existing handles.