[Bierp]

Yes, I loosened the screws (removed them), but it still didn't want to come off cleanly. I then put them back in to create tension and broke it free from the faucet side. That still didn't free it up enough to remove it by hand (after releasing the screws again.)

I tried to inject some WD40 on to the threads, but that didn't help much.

I suspect that by cutting off the lead lines (good idea!) that I could wrangle it free more easily, but due to the need to keep the existing one functional until I get the correct parts, I couldn't get overly aggressive.

My bigger concern is getting the right threads on the lead line. Adding a nipple into the existing fitting is an idea, though I'm quite comfortable just putting a new fixture on the PEX. What level of confidence do 'we' have in it being a compression thread? If it is, the new lead parts all come with the nut and ring. Can I just set those aside when I make the attachment? Extra parts scare me.


J