Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Broken Shower Extension

We are currently living in my Grandmas old mobile home until out new house is built. Yesterday I noticed water running down the shower wall when I started the shower. I removed the trim ring and water started squirting out at me. I turned the water off and noticed the extension was cracked, when I went to untwist it it broke off as it is plastic.
The piece that is left in the iron elbow fitting is corroded plastic and I have no way of getting it out without damaging the threads. I started to chip it out stopped because I didn't want to damage the threads. The threads look pretty ate up already and the new extension I bought will not grab and screw in. Is it possible to tap the elbow to "re-thread" it? I believe it is 1/2".

Thanks
Kyle

Kyle: Welcome to the forums! You may could tap it, but removing the existing plastic and "chasing" the threads would be best. Take a hack saw blade and cut one time in one place to cut completely through the plastic stub. Try to keep it from going too deeply and damaging the threads. You may, but with a 1/2" tap, you can chase the threads back and install a new shower arm (metal, I hope) using teflon tape on both ends. See if this works and post back with results, or if you have any further questions.

Thanks for the advice. I ended up going to a local hardware store and bought a 6" 1/2" iron pipe. The threads on it are beefier than those on the shower extension. I was able to clear enough of the plastic out to get the pipe started and then used a wrench to tighten it; pushing the broken plastic pieces out the back.

I thought I would have to take out the shower to replace the elbow, luckily I do not...


Thanks again, great forums!