Abstract: A valve stem and disc for a disc-type valve assembly are held together by a retaining ring and constructed such that they may be assembled inside a valve housing while avoiding the possibility of the retaining ring binding upon either the stem or disc during assembly. The valve stem includes a truncated conical portion forming its distal end which acts to align the various valve members during assembly. In the method, the retaining ring is mounted on the valve disc first rather than on the valve stem. When the truncated conical end of the valve stem is inserted in the disc so as to spread the retaining ring until mating engagement is reached between the stem, the disc, and the retaining ring. The diameter of the truncated stem distal end is sized to preclude any binding on the retainer ring or disc during assembly.