Shower Faceplate Screws Won't Line Up on 2014 Adventurer 38Q

[RV Captain]

Looking for a possible leak coming from the shower in my 2014 Adventurer 38Q, I removed the two screws holding the handle and face plate to the valve and holding the valve in place tight against the shower wall. I did not find a leak but I now can't find the holes to screw the faceplate back in place. I have spent hours trying to position the faceplate to where I think the holes might be,but have been unsuccessful. I cannot remove the faceplate entirely without removing the handle. If I do this, the handle, which is attached to the valve, will fall back into the wall (which appears not to have any access point). ANy plumbing assistance is appreciated!

 

[Waterbug]

Pictures would help. If you use a tool, like an ice pick, to locate one screw hole, through the face plate, it will give you a radius on which the other hole is located. That will make it easier to find the second hole. Once that hole is located, remove the ice pick and start the second screw.

 

[RV Captain]

 

[RV Captain]

Pictures would help. If you use a tool, like an ice pick, to locate one screw hole, through the face plate, it will give you a radius on which the other hole is located. That will make it easier to find the second hole. Once that hole is located, remove the ice pick and start the second screw.

Thank you for the suggestion. I have since posted a picture of the faceplate. Doesn't appear to indicate the brand on the plate. I have tried using a thin metal hanger to locate one screw hole but to no avail. Seems like the faceplate screws directly into the valve mechanism but it is impossible to see the valve mechanism in the tight space between the faceplate and the wall. Also, the valve is attached to the handle and it moves back into the wall if I let go of the handle. So I have to work with one hand pulling on the handle and the other turning the plate trying to find the screw holes. I will try your suggestion as soon as I locate an ice pick. That may be a bigger challenge!

 

[Morich]

Suggest making it a bit eassier with the right tools! Take the mounting screw to a store to get a matching size only much longer. If screws are not right, look for an all-thread of same size.
Don't overlook using a toggle if you have them on hand as they are sometimes the correct size!
If you are having a problem with the faucet body falling away and back into the space, You may be able to pass a cord around the bady to use it to pull it toward the wall. Then when you have the threads started, so it can't fall away, let go of one end of the cord and pull it out before screwing the faceplate fully tight.
When trying to get it matched up, add the all-thread or long screw in the mounting hole on one side. In this case a super long screw or the all thread with no top both can let you then put the face plate on and the second hole should pretty much line up automatically! Once the first real permanent screw is in place, take the temporary out and replace it with a second permanent screw.
Or go for broke and add long screws or all-thread in both holes before adding the faceplate, hold it solid to remove one temp item and put the permanent in place?

 

[RV Captain]

Appreciate all the great help. I'll give it a try.

 

[pubtime-WO]

Looking for a possible leak coming from the shower in my 2014 Adventurer 38Q, I removed the two screws holding the handle and face plate to the valve and holding the valve in place tight against the shower wall. I did not find a leak but I now can't find the holes to screw the faceplate back in place. I have spent hours trying to position the faceplate to where I think the holes might be,but have been unsuccessful. I cannot remove the faceplate entirely without removing the handle. If I do this, the handle, which is attached to the valve, will fall back into the wall (which appears not to have any access point). ANy plumbing assistance is appreciated!

I had the same problem in my 2015 Suncruiser 38q (it’s exactly the same as the adventurer). The backs of the shower faucet leaked, quite a bit.

Start in the hall. Remove the jamb that your kitchen sliding door leading into the hallway stops against, you’ll see the screws.

The corner trim should also have screws and you’ll find screws behind that jamb that you remove. That whole piece of paneling will remove and you’ll be looking at the back of the faucet mechanism.

That should help you realign the faucet (with help in the bathroom) and tighten those water connections behind it.

I assume the 2014 and 2015 are the same. I’m not with my RV right now, but I’m pretty sure I’ve described it accurately. You’re removing the first panel that sits in the hallway behind the shower faucet control.

Good luck.

 

[RV Captain]

I had the same problem in my 2015 Suncruiser 38q (it’s exactly the same as the adventurer). The backs of the shower faucet leaked, quite a bit.

Start in the hall. Remove the jamb that your kitchen sliding door leading into the hallway stops against, you’ll see the screws.

The corner trim should also have screws and you’ll find screws behind that jamb that you remove. That whole piece of paneling will remove and you’ll be looking at the back of the faucet mechanism.

That should help you realign the faucet (with help in the bathroom) and tighten those water connections behind it.

I assume the 2014 and 2015 are the same. I’m not with my RV right now, but I’m pretty sure I’ve described it accurately. You’re removing the first panel that sits in the hallway behind the shower faucet control.

Good luck.

This is great information. I was wondering how to get access to the back of the shower w/o having to cut an access panel in the wall. I'll give this a try and hope for success! Thank you!

 

[pubtime-WO]

This is great information. I was wondering how to get access to the back of the shower w/o having to cut an access panel in the wall. I'll give this a try and hope for success! Thank you!

Looked today, the only thing i said wrong was that the corner trim had screws in it. It doesn't, I dont remember if the wood was tucked inside of this piece or if I simply removed it and re-nailed, but it wasn't difficult.

You will find a line of screws under that door stop though, that I’m sure of, and you'll be able to get to the back of that fixture easily.

I started by removing the wainscoat on the kitchen wall and discovered that was glued, and not removable. Just work that corner trim loose and everything will be open, including the ability to realign that fixture to the other side of the wall.

My next suggestion is to get rid of that damn heavy, inward moving shower door and put an acrylic slider from stoett industries in there. Try this......https://shop.stoett.com/product/nautilus-shower-door/

It’s so much nicer and roomier.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Likely the valve has fallen down . Try pulling up on the valve and see if the holes appear

 

[RV Captain]

So the conclusion...I ended up calling an RV Tech to repair or replace the shower faucet. He removed the panel for access and found that between the wall studs and the drainage pipe (directly blocking the valve) that extends to the roof, there was very limited access to the valve. He decided to replace the valve with a new one I bought (just in case) and then found that three of the plastic fittings that attach to the valve, were leaking. After three trips to Home Depot to purchase the correct fittings, he finally stopped the leaks and put the shower and wall back in place. This entire process took him over 4 hours. I was charged $310 from the tech and $89 for the new faucet (purchased at Lowes). I thought his charges were fair considering the time spent and I am glad I did not attempt this fix myself! Good to know your limitations! Now on to the next repair!!

 

[RV Captain]

Looked today, the only thing i said wrong was that the corner trim had screws in it. It doesn't, I dont remember if the wood was tucked inside of this piece or if I simply removed it and re-nailed, but it wasn't difficult.

You will find a line of screws under that door stop though, that I’m sure of, and you'll be able to get to the back of that fixture easily.

I started by removing the wainscoat on the kitchen wall and discovered that was glued, and not removable. Just work that corner trim loose and everything will be open, including the ability to realign that fixture to the other side of the wall.

My next suggestion is to get rid of that damn heavy, inward moving shower door and put an acrylic slider from stoett industries in there. Try this......https://shop.stoett.com/product/nautilus-shower-door/

It’s so much nicer and roomier.

I had the original replaced with a one-piece glass shower door that opens from the right side. It cannot fully open because this small lavatory room doesn't allow for that. It does the job, although your slider is more practical and better looking! Your advice on removing the panel for access to the shower valve was extremely helpful to the rv tech who ended up working on the fix (see below comment).. Thank you again for the great information!