How to remove ball end off of shower arm?

[Murphysf]

Hello

I am helping a neighbor replace a faulty waterpik shower head. The plan is to just put a standard shower head on the end of the arm and not go with a hose / wand setup.

I got the waterpik assembly removed however I can't seem to unscrew the ball end at the end of the shower arm. see attached photos. Is the ball end part of the arm or is it removeable. If so perhaps I need to spray some liquid wrench on it.

Ideas?

Thanks

 

[Murphysf]

ok so I just did some googling and learned that the ball seems to be part of shower arm and is not removeable.

Should I just remove the shower arm and replace it with one without a ball end?

The ball end is now scored a bit as I took a pair of pliers to it without a cloth as I thought is was coming off and would be thrown away.

Or should I try to keep the original ball ended shower arm?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Chucky_ott]

When the water is off, the shower head is not under pressure and won't leak. When the water is on and the shower is used, should the ball leak, it will leak in the tub.

If you still have the adapter for the ball, I'd reuse it.

Removing the arm will surely turn a 5-minute job into a 5-hour job. You don't know what's behind the wall. Removing the arm could twist the piping behind if not secured properly. Or you may get a leak behind the wall. Or.... you get the idea. It's now your problem. And that's why I don't like to do plumbing for friends and family unless it's an emergency.

 

[Murphysf]

When the water is off, the shower head is not under pressure and won't leak. When the water is on and the shower is used, should the ball leak, it will leak in the tub.

If you still have the adapter for the ball, I'd reuse it.

Removing the arm will surely turn a 5-minute job into a 5-hour job. You don't know what's behind the wall. Removing the arm could twist the piping behind if not secured properly. Or you may get a leak behind the wall. Or.... you get the idea. It's now your problem. And that's why I don't like to do plumbing for friends and family unless it's an emergency.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I hear you.

When I realized the ball wouldn't budge I paused and thought to myself I should have stopped and thought about things before taking a pair of pliers to the ball without a cloth.

Yes I still have the adapter, its actually in one of the photos.

Should I take some fine wet sandpaper and try to smooth out the scoring and burrs I created with the pliers? Or just put it back together and hope for the best. I did notice that the screw fitting that is above the ball needed to be pressed down with a bit of force as some of the burring on the ball was keeping it from seating.

The arm did budge a bit in the wall so it is not seized but agree I don't want to open a can of worms.

 

[TJRAD]

amazon "price pfister shower arm adapter"
price pfister made that arm with a built in ball. If its not ruined from the channel locks then the adapter will convert you to a standard 1/2" thread. If the ball is ruined then a new shower arm is in order.
Good Luck.

.

 

[Murphysf]

amazon "price pfister shower arm adapter"
price pfister made that arm with a built in ball. If its not ruined from the channel locks then the adapter will convert you to a standard 1/2" thread. If the ball is ruined then a new shower arm is in order.
Good Luck.

.View attachment 101072

thanks it had a arm adapter on it and I still have it. I was in a rush last night and took everything off as I didn't know what hardware was part of the waterpik.

After work today I will reassemble it with a simple shower head.

How will I know if the ball is damaged?

 

[Murphysf]

success, i took a file and knocked down any little burs on the ball and then put it back together and it is working fine, no leaks.

just curious what are the advantages or reasons for a ball ended shower arm?

 

[Reach4]

Swivel... like a ball joint.

 

[opplumbinghub]

Hello

I am helping a neighbor replace a faulty waterpik shower head. The plan is to just put a standard shower head on the end of the arm and not go with a hose / wand setup.

I got the waterpik assembly removed however I can't seem to unscrew the ball end at the end of the shower arm. see attached photos. Is the ball end part of the arm or is it removeable. If so perhaps I need to spray some liquid wrench on it.

Ideas?

Thanks

View attachment 101053View attachment 101054

It looks like the ball end of your shower arm is worn out and likely stuck. You can try using WD-40 or Liquid Wrench to loosen it, but be careful not to damage anything inside the wall. The easiest solution might be to replace the entire arm with a standard one or use an adapter to fit a new showerhead. If you're unsure, consider getting a plumber to avoid further complications, and always remember to turn the water off before starting!