Delta Faucet Shower Handle Renovation Repair Trim Kit for Delta 600 Series Tub and Shower Trim Kits, Stainless RP54870SS

I bought this because our shower was not able to be turned all the way off anymore. Our shower previously had an aftermarket kit to convert to lever handle - it was terrible. The handle moved about 30 degrees before actually changing any setting - lots of 'slop'. Also, the plate was made of two parts, allowing water to leak through, and was made of plastic.This kit from Delta is MUCH better than the garbage universal kit from another manufacturer that was on there. Everything was made of metal. The valve ball is an actual conversion ball to change from the 'crystal ball' handle to a a proper lever handle. The handle now rotates toward the H for hot, and the C for cold. Very smooth operation, zero 'slop' in the handle. Very easy to install - grease everything up with silicone grease. This kit does not come with the tension adjuster, I'm not sure why. It doesn't seem to need it, so that is probably why, although you can buy the part individually and add it if you wanted more tension.When removing the old cap, be extremely cautious. You are very likely to destroy your valve due to a design that has the whole thing held in place by three small copper pipes. I had a couple plumbers not take the job because they knew how hard it was to remove. I soaked in vinegar for a few days (on Delta's recommendation) to remove calcium build-up, used PB Blaster penetrating oil, ran cold water through pipe and poured boiling water over cap, tapped hard on it to loosen. Still nothing, it was not going to come loose without shearing off the three copper pipes in the back. I ended up using a Dremel tool to cut the piece that covers the valve off. I then tried to grip the valve to hold it steady and use a pipe wrench to loosen the cap. I couldn't get a good enough grip on the valve to do it, but you might have better luck - mine was recessed into the wall too far. I ended up using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to very carefully cut the cap off - use caution to not damage the valve threads. This worked great! I was able to get it off without damaging the valve at all. Once the old garbage was off, installing this kit was a piece of cake.My shower looks great now, the handle works as intended, and no more leak! I am very happy with this kit.If you tackle the job yourself, and your cap does not easily come off, I recommend going straight for the Dremel to remove it.

summary - I used this kit twice and couldn't get the 'conversion' ball to work either time. still 5 stars because I haven't found a better solution and the metal trim/handle looks good in the end.- several reviews said the estucheon plate (large round stamped trim plate) is marked incorrectly - it is correct for me see pics. HOT is always on the left & COLD on the right. when you turn it CCW, the end of the handle points down & to the right (like 5-o'clock), which is correct- many reviews said this worked fine so maybe it's just something weird in my house2nd update: I used this kit for a 2nd shower. again the new 'conversion' ball didn't work. this time the water didn't turn all the way off. I modified yet another delta #212 ball to fit the new delta handle (not recommended way to much work)Updated:* This works with a Delta #70 ball only. When I replaced my #212 it worked to turn the water on, but we could not adjust the temperature very well. (Specifically, I could get too hot or not quite hot enough - I suspect this is what some reviewers described as tempremental. AND hot and cold were backwards.) My #212 ball had 3 holes on each side and a diamond shaft, which is (unfortunately) longer than the round shaft on the #70 ball, (which had one large hole at the bottom and 4 other holes).- See the last pic for a side-by-side- I ended up using my #212 ball (removed the hex adapter for the original clear plastic handle) with the handle from a Danco kit...if I find a better solution I'll post here. With this solution, the water is Hot when the handle points to H, and there is smooth adjustment from Hot to Cold.- Note that the #212 ball does not have an Up or Down.--* Brushed nickel finish matches my other fixtures, e.g. Moen shower head* This is a replacement trim for a *Delta 600 series* (except possibly the ball, see update above), which was popular builders grade in 'gold' cia 1990* This was easy to install /after/ removing the original. - the dome shaped part in the 2nd picture is a 'bonnet nut' or 'dome nut'. I used a torch to heat it so that I could remove it (thanks YouTube!) and anti-sieze on the replacement & on the the handle set screw. (hint: if the bonnet nut is stuck, be careful to avoid damaging the soft copper pipes to the valve)

I am a service plumber and this is the only retro kit I use for the Delta 600 valve. It is 100% a direct fit, and it comes with the Delta warranty.

Easy to install, looks and works great