Symmons Temptrol valve - difficult to turn

Hello,
I just changed out the Spindle (part TA10) for a standard Symmons Temptrol valve as part of a shower remodel - had to change it because I could not get off the handle with all the gunk built up over the years.

Anyway, after replacing the spindle it is now very difficult to turn on and off the water - valve is very stiff. I tried loosening the cap but it didn't really help and water started to leak out of the center of the spindle.

I thought that I followed the instructions on the Symmons website to the letter but obviously not.

(The Temptrol valve controls shower and tub if that makes a difference - diverter is working fine)

What did I do wrong? What can I do to fix it?

Thanks a lot

Brian

Did you have the spindle in the full open position when you tightened the cap?

If you didn't the threads in the cap and on the spindle are probably boogered up.

Redwood said:

Did you have the spindle in the full open position when you tightened the cap?

If you didn't the threads in the cap and on the spindle are probably boogered up.

Click to expand...

I thought that I did it right - on the Symmons instructions it said to "be sure spindle assembly is drawn close to the cap before screwing cap back into valve"
So I set the spindle so that the cold washer retainer/gasket was close to the cap.
Did I do the opposite as to what I was supposed to?
If so, does it mean a new spindle and cap or can I just take it apart and set the spindle in a differrent position?
Thanks for your help

No you should be okay then.

Grease it up good on the threads?

Is that boogered or buggered ?

Redwood said:

No you should be okay then.

Grease it up good on the threads?

Click to expand...

Yup, plenty of grease.
Maybe I will loosen up the cap and packing nut again and re-do it?

Packing should be just tight enough not to leak.

update

I replaced the spindle, cap, and packing nut and that has done the trick - I must have 'boogered' the threads the first time around.
Thanks everyone

- follow up question - is there a wrong way to replace the diverter handle? I changed it out - uncrewed cap, puled out old plastic diverter, put in new one and screwed back the end cap - but I 'feel' that there is less water going to the shower head now (I could be imagining it too).

Did you replace it with the same color diverter spindle?

Unscrew the showerhead from the shower arm and check the restrictor for debis.