Question about removing lever-type faucet handle, to repair sink drip

[hcwhcw]

Has anybody ever removed a lever-type faucet handle before, from a centerset compression faucet with two handles? It looks a bit like this. [Edited to say: That link didn't work. But the model number is USCR216RMH and the Home Depot product ID number is 100435779. Searching on the Home Depot Web site for one of those should pull up the page with the image.]

I'm trying to remove the handle now, to repair a bathroom sink faucet drip. But I'm having a problem and thought I'd try asking here, maybe save myself a trip to the store, or more expensively, a trip from the plumber.

There is no cap on the lever handle top to pry off or ratchet off, in order to get to the screw. But there is a small hole underneath the turn or bend of the lever handle, inside of which I can see a minus (not plus) indentation, which I assume is the head of a minus screw. I've been using a small flathead screwdriver to try to turn the screw left to loosen it, and thus remove the lever handle.

But it's not turning, and the screwdriver tip keeps slipping out. I can see that the screwhead looks all rusted. I thought about spraying some WD-40 in there, but that seems like it could be a bad idea; the WD-40 might get into the water coming out of that stem. So I tried just putting some WD-40 on the screwdriver tip, but that didn't seem to help.

I don't know what to do. Anybody have any info or ideas? And if I really can't get the handle off myself, how much do you think it might cost to have a plumber come fix a constant sink drip?

[crecian]

sorry, I tried looking it up online but came up empty handed. All I can do is bump this up for you in hopes that someone who knows sees it.

[notsyourbeezwax]

Take pictures with your cell phone or digital camera, and then take those to a plumbing supply place. They should be able to help you. (Not my original idea. A plumbing place here says to do that in their advertisements on the radio!).