"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Old style faucet in the bath tub started leaking two weeks ago. (Cold
water side). Changed the washer, but that didn't work. Noticed that the
seat felt a bit rough. Previous owners must've had a gorilla for a
plumber, because the internal hex faces are totally stripped. No way to
get the seat wrench to grip.

Now what? Don't say "replace the entire valve housing". Please.
Doug - There is also a seat dresser I think its called. A sort of grinder
that will supposedly go in and smooth things over. Also, try a tapered
washer to see if that will help. Some elcheapo faucets do not have removable
seats!