How To Fix a Stuck Valve: Bent Valve Stem 

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The oil and stuff on the valves probably dried up and caused the valves to stick. You can try pulling a little harder on the valves first. If that does not work, you can try taking off the bottom valve caps, inserting a short section of dowel into the bottom and tapping it with a rawhide mallet. if you do this, be careful to check for any problems or damage you may be causing and stop if you see anything. Please let me know how the repair went. Art

@@TheBrassandWoodwindShop Thanks! I'll try it now

Thank you sooooo much, this did work, and I have a concert tomorrow!

My first guess is that the valve cap is cross-threaded. Look to see if the valve cap is on straight and not crooked. If it is on there straight and there is still a problem, there is probably a dent or something is out of round. I will try to do a video on this problem, but my wife is expecting and due any day, so I am not sure when I will be able to do it. Please feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Art

@@TheBrassandWoodwindShop Thank you for the quick answer. I will try it as soon as possible :) I will also answer about what happened and if there are more problems (or tips). The best wishes for you and your family! David

I do not know of any homemade brass cleaning solutions. One of my viewers mentioned vinegar, but someone else said it would not be good for the lacquer. I have not done an experiment on it yet so I do not know for sure. I filmed a video about stuck woodwind hinge rods a few days ago, but the camera had some problems and the footage was not usable. I will try again later when I run into another stuck hinge rod.

Dawn and simple green is good. Do not use vinegar. I tried it and misjudged the time and all the lacquer came off one of my school Eastman baritone Horns. Or if you’re going to use vinegar just put it on the inside. CLR if you dilute it about 10:1 to start. I bought a quick horn rinse kit and that works pretty well. That has a sudser attachment to put the Dawn or simple green or whatever eco friendly degreaser in. I cleaned 10 horns, 16 baritones and 7 tubas with it with no problems.

Yes, if you have a valve stem available, you certainly can replace it.

I know this comment is from a long time ago but I’m in the same boat 😂

Sorry it took me so long to answer your question. My first guess is there is a small dent in the casing that makes the valve stick when the bottom of the valve hits the dent. Pull the bottom valve cap off, push down the valve and check for a dent where the bottom of the valve stops. My second guess is the valve stem got bent. Remove the finger button and push down the valve. See if the valve stem goes straight up and down or if it goes off to the side and hits the side of the hole on the top valve cap.

@@TheBrassandWoodwindShop I don't know how to check if my valve stem is going down straight or not. But I don't see any dents. It was working fine, as I said before. I've never dropped it or anything, it just suddenly stopped going all the way down. Like I said I can get it to about halfway but it stops. I've got my mom to check it and now the plastic piece under the spring to help lock the valve in place, has broke. My valve no Langer stays up like the rest.. it sit halfway.. do you have any suggestions on how I can fix, or where I can get a new plastic part thing?

Usually it occurs when the finger button hits a music stand or someone does something foolish.

Same!

same with me and we’re in quarantine so i can’t get my band teacher to help

*you need someone really stronger to unscrew it and you need to unscrew the valve of valves beside it so the stronger person can get a good grip on it*

_.Wholesome_stuff_uwu._ bruv same with me and like i’m in quarantine so i can’t have my band director fix it. this is my second time getting it stuck and i’m freaking out cause i can’t practice .

You can use a wrench