John H. wrote:

Ray, you have either done this before or you're a plumber...
a piece if the galvanized pipe came off as I unscrewed it. There may be
enough
threads showing to get a new one on, if not I'm calling a pro.
thanks

Not a plumber. If the pipe is sticking out of the wall with only a few
threads on the end you can try just replacing the spout. Make sure you
don't have a leak, water leaking around the threads can trickle back
along the pipe and into the wall. You probably won't be able to see
this happen inside the spout. Access panel to check for leaks?

If you have to try and unscrew the pipe:
Get a pipe wrench to grip it tightly then hit the end of the handle
with a hammer. The sudden shock is less likely to break the pipe then
forcing it slowly. Start with a gentle tap then increase the force of
your wacks until it doesn't seem safe. Good idea to brace the other
pipes in the wall with blocks of wood if you have access. If it does
come out you can replace it with copper and the right size nipple
soldered on.

If you don't have an access panel on the back side of the shower or the
means to make one you might want to call a plumber to make it easier on
yourself. A few weeks ago there was a post from someone that their
'wet wall' in the shower backed up to a 2 story stairwell. $200 from a
plumber now may save a bunch later...

Read this thread, it has some good advice for a similar problem:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.h...65e5b3d3ea84d6