Abstract: A faucet handle mechanism for attaching a faucet handle to a faucet valve body, which valve body has a rotatable valve stem, includes an adapter coaxial with and attached to the valve stem for concurrent rotation with the stem. There is an insert coaxial with and attached to the adapter for concurrent rotation with the insert and stem. A handle is coaxial with and attached to the insert for concurrent rotation with the insert, adapter and valve stem. A fastener secures the adapter, insert and handle together. There is a generally cylindrical chassis coaxial with and extending about the adapter, with the chassis being non-rotatably attached to the valve body. A shell is non-rotatably mounted on the chassis, with the chassis having an upper bearing surface which rotatably supports a lower bearing surface on the insert. The chassis and adapter have cooperating elements which prevent relative axial movement therebetween.