Tips for removing shower pipe stub

[JeweloJalopy]

I'm trying to remove the shower arm that protrudes from the wall on our 1966 Streamline. The shower head attached to a ball on the end of the pipe to allow it to swivel. I want to install a low flow handheld wand and need a pipe with threads on the end.

I know it should unscrew from the supply pipe back in the wall but it doesn't want to move.

Any ideas? Cut off the ball and tap threads on the end?

I would love to have a nice new chrome pipe there with threads.

Thanks!
Ian

[cwf]

Pics help.

It may mean removal of more to achieve your goal.

Give some description of efforts to date.

[awryawry]

Howdy, JeweloJalopy,

Your shower arm is likely threaded into a female adapter; hopefully the adapter is secured robustly enough to permit twisting the arm off with a channel lock or small pipe wrench.. This will irredeemably mar the old arm, so just plan on chucking it out. Install your new arm by properly sealing the male threads, and twist it into position by inserting your plier or a heavy screwdriver inside the new arm to finalize the tightening.

A caveat: if the fitting behind the wall is not properly secured, you will run the risk of having to delve into the wall to access the female adapter. Don't bear-down too much to remove the old arm!

Lefty-loosey righty-tighty,

wry

[JeweloJalopy]

So far I have tried a set of channel locks on the arm, scratching the chrome to heck in the process. But no sign of movement. I plan to get rid of the arm so it's not a big deal.

Next step will be to apply some penetrating oil and let it sit.

We're already on our latest trip so it will wait until we get back, I didn't want to risk a leak right before the trip. I will get some pics, but getting pics in behind the shower will be tricky.

[ventport]

If it sticks out far enough, heat the pipe with a propane torch. Get it as hot as you can without setting the wall on fire. Then grab the pipe wrench and try to unscrew it. Heat usually works for me.

[awryawry]

Heat works! You might also try tightening it before loosening.