I am trying to relace the cartridge but the old one won't come out! I removed the retainer, sprayed it with breakaway solvent, pulled on it with vice-grips. It's 15 yrs old, Moen,and now the valve stem snapped off. I can drill through the remaining brass and insert an easy-out but could it have been soldered in? Any one have an answer?

 

Hi Rich: If you have the replacement cartridge there is a white plastic tool with it that you set down over the stem and twist. If you don't have this use a pair of needlenose pliers. Put them down into the slots on either side of the cartridge and twist the unit back and forth about 90 degrees to break the rubber free from the fixture. Now you can pull the cartridge straight up and out. Take it to your plumbing supply and you will probably get a free replacement.

 

Thanks for your reply. I tried that but the tool didn't reach the valve body. The brass stem has broken off trying to pull it out. It appears of a different construction from the replacement part. Its stuck so solidly that i wonder if it could have been soldered in.

 

Usually the problem in getting these out is getting a good enough grip to turn and also pull. Moen makes a puller for these that you can often rent locally.This may still work despite the mutilation. Other wise you have a battle on your hands to remove the stem and get the body out. Try the easy outs if you cannot get the puller to work. Be careful not to damage the body of the faucet or it is time for a whole new one. Even though it may seem like it, it is not soldered, they are known to be hard, that is why Moen makes a puller. The white plastic that comes with the new ones are not as good as the actual tool.

 

Thank you for your post. It is helpful to know that it is not soldered. I got a response from Moen with instructions should the inner cartridge come out on removing the outer shell. I will try your method first. Your right, I do have a battle on my hands. If your interested in their method of using a dowel and 1/2" tap to remove the outer shell, i would be glad to email it to you. Thanks again.

 

Well, i got the dumb thing out by whacking the plastic piece with a punch and mallet, trying to get it to turn (no avail but probably loosened it enough to break free). Then i drilled a small pilot hole in the remaining brass, screwed a short drywall screw into the pilot hole and used a claw hammer and block of wood to pull the cartridge out like pulling a nail. The sad news is, i have the wrong replacement cartridge :-(

 

Congratulations on winning the war.