How to fix a shower arm that won't stay in position?

That might be the locking grub screw for the arm when it's connected to the wall. I suggest giving it a test and removing it, if the arm comes off then its purpose is for wall mounting, but if the arm becomes even more loose then it might be the key to making it tight again.

Please give it a test and let us know if there are any changes.

Eric

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Rdonair. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about adjusting a shower arm.

Typically, shower arms have a tension adjustment for that joint. That doesn't appear to be the case on your unit, as there are no visible nuts or screws. Likely, it had an internal mechanism that held the joint in tension, and that has failed. I'd recommend the best course of action would be to replace the shower head and arm. It's quite literally a 15-minute job, and here's a helpful article to assist with it: How to change a shower head.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Thank you MitchellMc 😁

Noyade

G'day Mitch. @MitchellMc

Is that a cover seen at far right of @Rdonair 's top photo.

Could it be hiding a locking nut?

Any excuse to use the whiteboard. 😁

MitchellMc

Quite possibly, @Noyade. I'm not familiar with a design like that, but I would have thought there was potentially an access point to the innards.

Mitchell

Thanks. I did wonder - but can’t figure out how to open that😁

If you are interested to get the cover off, I propose using a Craftright 11 Piece Precision Screwdriver Set. I suggest using the 1.2mm flat head screwdriver and inserting it in between the tiny gap between the arm and outer cover. This should allow you to lift the side cover that is hiding the fixing nut inside.

However, installing a new shower head such as the Estilo 3 Function Hand Shower WELS 3 Star 9L/min would be more convenient than having to repeatedly tighten the arm every week.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Thanks Eric

I have a similar set of screwdrivers and I’ve just tried them. Even the smallest won’t fit into the gap on the right hand end where the cover is. Either it’s a very tight fit, or maybe it isn’t a cover? Would something like WD40 help loosen it up? 😁

Using WD40 might work, otherwise the only other choice is to remove it with extreme force. Have you tried both sides of the shower arm? Sometimes the cap is on the right-hand side of the fixing.

If you're still having difficulty, I suggest using a Craftright 250mm Multigrip Pliers in order to affect repairs. Please note that the pliers will probably damage the cover and you might not be able to use it again.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a safety mask while working on your project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Thank you. I will try both sides of the arm. I also see there’s a small hole on the underside of the arm and inside there’s something like a screw or bolt that seems to take an Allen key. Could that be part of the puzzle? 😁

Please give it a test and let us know if there are any changes.

Eric

Will try it in the morning. Thank you 😁

Hi. I’ve undone the screw underneath - it is the lock for the wall mount. The shower arm comes apart in the middle, but I suspect it should not. Protruding bolt in pic 2 should screw into receptacle in the other end, but does not reach & is loose and feels like it may have snapped at the base. I need to find a new arm that will fit the fitting in pic 3. All suggestions welcome😁

MitchellMc

Hi @Rdonair,

I would presume that the fitting left on your wall should unscrew from it, as it's a proprietary fitting for that particular arm. Once you've removed this fitting from the wall, it should reveal a standard threaded copper fitting, which is the universal connection method for all showerheads. If you check out this guide on How to change a shower head, you'll see the fitting I am referring to in Step 2.

Mitchell

Thanks MitchellMc. Will try it😁

Thanks everyone for your help. I’ve replaced the shower arm, learned a lot, and appreciate this forum. Thanks also to Bunnings and Reece Plumbing Innisfail in tropical north Queensland😁

Any chance you can post a photo of the new shower arm? I'm sure our members would be keen to see what it looks like.

Thanks

Eric