Hey everyone, just a reminder to STOP and THINK. When this whole stuck cartridge thing happened to me, back in 2009, I was desperate to get the water back on. Make sure to try the normal removal tools FIRST. They may work for you in your situation. If so great! You're done. THIS VIDEO IS ONLY for folks who have exhausted normal removal procedures. No you shouldn't use this method as the FIRST try. Read the video description. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED TO!!!! For all you other folks... thank you for all the kind comments. You are the reason I made this video. I thought it could help folks and it has. Namaste and RIGHT ON, RIDE ON!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks you very much for making this video. I have two positemp cartridges that haven’t been changed in 20+ years, and the thought of changing them terrifies me. I got a much better puller tool than the Moen tool, along with a tap and some other tools if things go sideways. Still, I am dreading this procedure. I really appreciate your video! I’m curious what you would have done if the pipe broke or the bolt sheared.😬
@user-mu7jo5hj5prz If it had not worked, I would had to cut open the wall behind and install an entire new faucet, patch the wall repaint etc. Not the end of the world, but not cheap either.
@@uk7769 Yeah, that would be particularly painful for me, as the previous owners installed a bath liner over the tub, so that would need to be ripped out too. Well, I just finished cartridge replacements for two bathroom faucets and the kitchen faucet. I also replaced the base o-rings for the rotating spout, which was a pain because the retaining nut was practically welded to the base.
@user-mu7jo5hj5prz What is the wall behind your faucet? If you can, cut drywall for access behind the faucet. that is easier than cutting tiles or liners.
Watching your video saved me over $400.00!! After watching I was able to rebuild 2 valves, each over 25 years old, for under $100.00. Thank you so much for sharing your VERY IMPORTANT TIP!!
This was the perfect solution to my problem. Because of the old plumbing, even when you turn the water off, it doesn't turn off completely, which made it hard to to fix. With the cartridge stuck in the pipe and the two prongs broke off AND the rubber seals on the cartridges rotting, we couldn't shut off the water completely after we shower. Thanks to your idea and demonstration, I sit here typing this knowing the faucet isn't leaking anymore. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
I am a 51 year woman, watched both videos, had the really hard to get out sleeve & the really easy one. I did soak the stuck cartridge with vinegar and wd40 for an hour before removal. I also bought T shaped puller. I used that & kept turning the cartridge back & forth with intermittant tugging & came out. It was in there for at least 20 years. The new cartridge went in easily. I noticed it has MOEN engraved on the cylinder and you want to put the MOEN on the right hand side for the cold water.
Worked like a charm!! I borrowed a tap from work, spent $11 on the new cartridge, $5 on the 12mm /1.75 bolt and Ill be damned if I spent 20 min start to fully finished!!! I didn't have a wire brush like yours so I used a 12 Gage bore brush from by cleaning kit and it worked really well. THANK YOU!!! I priced out a plumber and it was $80 JUST for the house call alone. You really saved my ass here. Thank again!!
Fantastic tutorial. I searched all over the Internet for help fixing my old Moen Dialcet, and this was the best source. I relied on it to see what the cartridge looked like, and how to remove it. Nothing better than video and audio. Luckily, my cartridge came out whole. Thank you.
MIne wasn't stuck but I had never done a replacement on anything like this before. The video was very helpful at several stages, much more so than the pict-o-gram instructions that came with the new cartridge. Thanx much fellas.
Fantastic tip. I was almost at this point and took my heat gun to it and it worked!!!! I might of got lucky but looks like the brass might of expanded just enough to allow me to pull out the cartridge. Don't even try wd40 it will not get passed the front seal.
it works! you sir are a lifesaver! this was my last ditch effort to get it out after 3 hours of trying everything. Water was off- wife nine months pregnant- 7 pm on a Sunday no plumbers available. thank you again for posting!
Glad it worked for you and your family. Exactly why I made these vids. And: Mmm hmm. another BROKEN MOEN TOOL. You here that folks. Thats exactly what happened to me, and the answer to all those asking me "why don't you just use the special tool they make... blah blah blah" lol. :)
I was at my wits end trying to figure out what to do with this darn leaking faucet. I tried all sorts of things to get the guts out of the faucet. I pulled and pulled and pulled and finally the inner part came out. I got so mad that I put it back together and It stopped leaking but i want to put the new catridge that I bought into place. I am going to try it one lasttime tomorrow before I use the tap and use your technique. I really appreciate the help. You saved a plumbing bill.
A dozen years later, same squeaking when I was cranking on the wrench. Same butt pukering sensation wondering if it is going to work, snap or bust a pipe somewhere else. Just like yours it finally broke loose and I was able to pull it out. Lots of smiles, giggles and relief. Mine was a #1200 cartridge. My tap said both 12 and 9/16 on it and i used a lag bolt because that is what i had on hand that fit. Not sure I would recommend that to anyone. Thank you very much for posting a long time ago.
Thanks, my 1225B wasn't stuck but you gave some solid advice for someone that had only seen this done years ago. You saved my son and wife from a waterless morning! Cheers!
Thank you for posting this. Everything worked beautifully after the shaft had come out and the cartridge remained. Local advice was a) use the Moen cartridge puller (which just sheared the cartridge ears), and b) chiseling the cartridge shell laboriously with a screwdriver (this from a former plumber). 1/2" tap with 1/2-13 bolt worked perfectly. Again, I appreciate the time you took to film and post this.
I just reattached the plastic handle and pulled the stem out and along came the cartridge...thing is I wasn't expecting this so a steady stream of water was flowing until I could run to the basement and close the valves. Informative video, just wish I found it last night!
great way of thinking outside of the box to get that cartridge out. i had a heck of a time pulling out my cartridge in my kitchen sink faucet, sometimes these how to videos make it look too easy when its because they are demonstrating on new piping, etc. which is not usually the case for everybody else. Nice to see someone working really hard to fix a realistic aged scenario of plumbing problems.
Thank you for the great video. I was getting a drip from my 35+ year old shower faucet and followed your lead. Worked great. I used a 1/2 tap with course threads. Hardest part was getting the tap to start, so I ran the fine thread tap into the hole for one turn first. Then, the course thread worked like a charm. Ace had both the plastic and the brass replacement cartridge, I bought both, ended up using the brass one. Mine came loose a little easier than yours. Thanks again.
This worked perfectly!! Tapped it and used a 12m x 1.75 pitch x 100mm hardened bolt. I was starting to get worried when the socket started to get a little tight even though I knew I had more bolt to go and I was having to use more than a little arm strength. This video was a life saver!! My situation was for a 1200 type Moen single handle shower faucet.
This video is 100% spot on! Thank you so much, you saved me a ton of time. I used a 1/2"x13 tap, and a 2 1/2" grade 8 bolt, nut & washer. Excellent advice. Super Easy.
Did exactly what you said to do in the video. Had a catridge that was in there for 30 years. Once I tapped it and screwed in the bolt it turned in 4 rotations. Thanks!
you guys saved my bacon. After that stem came out with out the casing, I had thoughts of a plumber having to tear out the wall to replace the plumbing and 100s of $ later. Again you have really done your civic duty with this video. It worked perfectly.......Thanks!
Thanks for posting this! Mine did the same thing. I had to by a tap and handle 1/2" and I bought the bolt also. I didn't need the bolt because my cartridge broke loose when I was tapping it. Thanks again! Mine ended up being a Moen 1200.
(Real ancient post, I know) I'm about to attempt removal of a similarly old cart that's been in use where water comes from a well, so pretty crusty. And I wondered about this, using some gentle torching. I have a fireproof backing I can slide in behind it just for this purpose to protect the wall. Thanks for confirmation it might make things easier.
Thanks. You saved me a 900 dollar plummer fee. I followed all instructions and its good to go. I lost the little retaining clip, so I used a paper clip I spent around 30 bucks. Thanks again
This saved my bacon. He says 12 mm/1.75 tap size, but I used a 1/2"-13 tap-- fit perfect. Valve body actually started rotating before I finished tapping. Cost < $7.00 at Ace hardware. BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks so much! I had a stuck moen shower cartridge that's probably been there at least 30 years! I watched your video -- Wow! What a public service! I did everything just like on your video, complete with squeeking sound effects as I turned the socket wrench! (The sound would have probably made me hesitate if I had not seen your video.) Great job on the video! Once again, thanks!
Thank you!! This worked perfectly. I had visions of $$$$$ plumber bills in my mind when that core popped out. Our Moen bath facet had been in since the 60's so it had a good run, but also had plenty of build up to be stuck. Thank you again.
This worked 100%. It wasn't as easy to get the cartridge out, but we sprayed the hell out of it and then rotated it. Repeat a few times. We also had one of us hold the back of the valve and pipes to make sure we didnt pull too hard to break the pipes. at one point we had the it 1/3 of the way out and couldnt get further. We took the bolt out and used needle nosed pliers and pulled slowly. Took about 30 minutes.
For anyone who watches some of these videos before attempting the job, as I did, you might try heating the valve body with a hair dryer for 10 minutes before trying to remove it and possibly breaking the cartridge. I did that, along with several applications of white vinegar over 1.5 days, and a cartridge that had been installed 32 years ago came right out with the help of a Moen 104421 cartridge puller. A hair dryer won't get things hot enough to melt any solder joint, so no need to worry about that.
If I could shake your hand right now I would!! You just saved me a ton of money and trouble, worked like a champ! Little scary wrenching so hard on the bolt but she finally came. Thanks!!!
Amazing video, especially the retaining clip. If you don't know it's there it's really a problem. That part of the video was invaluable to me. Thanks so much for posting this. Cost me under $25 (including a new clip, which we broke, for $3.99. Quite a savings from what a plumber would have cost.
Hey uk , i am so glad i saw your video , i just had the EXACT same faucet . I went to Home Depot and bought the same puller you did and all it did was pull out the center piece . I had prevously gone to a plumbing store and the guy told me , instead of tapping it out , use and eas out tool if i had one big enough . I did and it worked PERFECTLY , oh and i also had sprayed some penetrating oil in there and let it sit for a while . I am done now , worked great , thanks so much !! Dudelift
Moen recommends having the bolt push against a 1" - 2" (25-50 mm), 3/8" (10 mm) dowel inside the cartridge to pull it out. The reason for having the bolt push against a dowel is because most taps can't reach deeply enough to cut threads all the way to the end to let a bolt reach in deeply enough. To minimize the chance of the cylinder turning, oil the tap and bolt.
Dude! I had to create an account just to thank you for showing us how this problem is to be solved; you are a GODSEND!! This worked perfectly; I would have never figured this out on my own and you saved me hundreds of dollars that would have been spent on a plumber...thanks again man...words alone cant convey my gratitude to you! :)
This worked perfectly for me! 1/2" tap along with a 1/2" x 5" hex bolt. It took some work and the noise was something aweful, But it worked in the end!
Hey, I gotta say that your video (and I watched several) hit the spot! I had never done this before. But the water kept turning on by itself scaring my grandson. Sure enough it was a two piece removal as of your video. My gratitude to you guys Love love love it!
I have removed many of these cartridges with success , one key thing that you may not have mention is after you pull the retaining clip you should turn the valve on so the notch on the stem of the cartridge is UP than the cartridge should pull out easier
You ROCK!! YOU and this video are a Godsend!! I had, that was HAD, a seriously stuck cartridge and although other vids I watched on youtube showed a similar effort, you kept ratcheting until the cartridge snapped loose, the others didn't go that far and theirs seemed to come loose much easier than yours. Mine WAS like yours, seriously seized up and initially I didn't keep turning and turning that bolt for fear of damaging the cartridge.. after watching your video I tried again and continued to turn that ratchet very slowly but forcefully enough to make it turn and sure enough, SNAP!! it popped loose and slid right out. The new cartridge is in place now and the shower has returned to normal! Whoop Whoop, THANK YOU! I forgot to mention I did use a heat gun on low to heat the cartridge housing to create expansion hoping it would help to loosen things up. I don't know if it helped or not but figured it couldn't hurt.
Hey everyone. It's amazing this video is still helping people with this potentially expensive $$$$$ situation to be in. I remember that aweful day I first encountered this suck cartridge at my moms house, no water, late on a Sunday of course. IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR NEW FOLKS FACING THIS PROBLEM: this vid above is what I call the "tap and torque" method. It can work, but if I ever had to do again I'd use the "tap and puller" method in my other video. See ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html
Excellent video & explanation...saying it was 12mm/1.75 was very helpful as a larger or smaller diameter probably wouldn't have worked. Your "tap & torque" method saved the day for me as it was late Friday, no plumbers available & no water available until it was fixed. As I was tapping, the cartridge actually came loose enough to pull out without the bolt & torquing, thank you & thank God, very stressful to say the least, darn hard water is the likely culprit.
Yea some times you can get a little trash stuck on the hot or cold side, but in some cases. The washer on the hot side will swell if the water heater is up to high and get stuck in on the hot side port. You will need to remove the cartridge to clean it out and get the rest of the washer out of the hole on the side left side of course. Good Luck PlumberX
I was amazed that you didn't break the copper tubing before the cartridge came free. Because... You taped part way into the cartridge and yet you were turning the bolt down to the bottom of the taped part and whereas, additional screwing of the bolt would be trying to create its own threads and thus end up spreading the cartridge and jamming it into the fixture body. Fortunately, you were lucky!
Yeah we were relieved we didn't break the pipes too. As you can tell by our sigh of relief. lol. That's why the puller method in my 2nd video is a much better method. ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html Cheers!
I don't know if anyone else posted a comment on your tapping method, but you are supposed to go no more than 1/2 turn forward and then always 1/4 turn back to break the chip, otherwise, you are just loading up the tap. It doesn't matter whether you are tapping steel, brass, aluminum, always the same method. 1/2 forward, 1/4 back, 1/2 forward, 1/4 back, etc. Otherwise, thanks, and I hope you don't mind the input.
That was a really helpful video. That's a plumber's worse nightmare. I'm going to have to get that tap and bolt for the van so I have it just in case that ever happens to me. But btw it's called a valve body, not faucet.
Great questions. Not sure, I think some people have had success with an easy/bolt extractor. However, on the extreme cases of stuckness, unless it's large enough diameter, it might break. You have to use tool with enough strength to survive the torque. Some cartridges break free more easily than others. But don't know until you try it. In my friends case(the one in this video) I thought we'd rip the pipes right out of the wall. I think a tool less than 3/8" dia would have twisted or broken.
Im havin the same problems. A stuck cartridge. After seeing this video Im almost convinced to call and pay a plumber at this point. I sprayed around the cartridge with liquid wrench and gonna let it sit overnight. If it still wont come out im gonna call the plumber. Its crazy to have to go to such extremes as in this video!!!
That's great. Thanks for confirming the standard size works too. Now others will know that one too. For shits and giggles, I looked up the conversion 12mm = 0.4724409448824 inches. So about 3 hundredths of and inch or about 7 sheets of paper difference.
Hey folks. I was one of the lucky ones on this endeavor. After reading about the crappy plastic removal tool that comes with the cartridge always breaking, my approach was to GENTLY apply pressure to the right for about 15-30 seconds, then to the left. You can sort of tell when the plastic is about to crack so just go slow with it. I sprayed CLR in the cartridge and pulled the valve back and forth. After about 3-5 min of this, it started to come free. I spun it about 20-30 times before pulling
I used a 12mm/1.75 thread tap , and a matching 12mm diameter bolt, about 4 inches long. Other folks have had success using a 1/2 inch diameter tap and matching bolt.
In the years I been a plumber, I have never had one that stuck. But good idea none the less! A plumber would have usually just replaced the entire valve assembly. The "seats" the cartridge seals against could be pretty hashed at this point, and just replacing the parts may result in a call back (we don't like those lol).
@nathan12203 Appreciate the comment. Yes, everyone should attempt all less drastic measures BEFORE using the technique in this video. The T-tool you mention, and the special Moen puller tool did not work for 3 of the 4 cartridges I've replaced. The T-tool broke off, leaving pieces of the tool broken inside the cartridge. I was lucky to get the broken tool pieces out. This video is a LAST RESORT when all other methods have failed.
@jmvoorhies I'm not sure. Have you removed the cartridge yet? I'd turn the water back off, and check the cartridge. Maybe turn it 180 degrees and put it back in. Then if the problem reverses, (hot water but no cold) you know its the cartridge. But again, I'm not a plumber. ???
This just saved my ass. The 12mmx1.75 tap, handle and bolt cost me around 20 bucks at osh. A little PB and she popped right out. And on a plus note I look like a plumbing genius to my wife and I got a new tap handle!
Another video shows to put a piece of dowel in before you tap it. this causes the tap to push against the dowel and push the cartridge out. good video. U tube is screwing a lot of publishers.
My plumber helped me out by suggesting getting a tap and a wooden dowel. This must be a tight fit, as you screw in the tap it pushes the dowel down and forces the cartridge to move up and out. He even sent me to the local ACE hardware store and said to not take the first traditional puller they handed to me, but to then ask for the one with the dowel in it. The store had prepared a packet with the tap and the dowel.
NOTE!!! Hi folks after watching this video (tap and torque method) please see a much easier way to do this via (tap and puller method) if you have some washers or the correct size socket available. See ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html
I think they are interchangable. The Moen model 1200 brass cartridge I got at Home Depot for about $22. I think you can use the Moen 1225B plastic body cartridge but I haven't used it.
I just heated up the housing up with a propane torch with the stem still in and pulled everything out with channel locks. Be careful not to over heat. Pull and heat at the same time if you can.
@Airwrek1 Hmm. I'm not sure. Of the two replacements I've done, the stem just pulled out easily with a pair of pliers. Can you adapt the core puller to pull against the faucet body, then use the the stem screw thread that the faucet handle attaches to? Or maybe put a small washer on using the faucet handle screw. Try holding some wood boards against the wall, enough to be about level with the stem/washer. Then use a hammer/nail puller to yank out the stem like you are pulling a nail out. ???
I had an great experience changing the cartridge. I guess I didn't completely drain the water from the pipes so when I removed the cotter style top pin the old cartridge just came shooting out! I got a bit wet but hey!...I had a good laugh too!
@wkstewart I think you need to pull the stem out of the cartridge first. Then, that is the hole you tap. It's the inner wall of the cartridge. I tried to tap threads about an inch deep, but not all the way down the cartridge.
thanks for the comment. I tried several of the removal tools. Not sure the one you mentioned. The ones I tried all broke. If you have a link to the tool your are talking about, send it to me. I'd like to check it out.
Try using a 1 1/2 drywall screw and drill it to the plastic on the side go easy and see the magic works with the 1222 moen. It only took me a minute to get it out
The tub/shower faucet cartridge is model 1200B for anyone that is searching not available at your local store for replacement. Seems to be from Moen only. Or online order from everyone else
I had no problem. Bought the danko removal tool and it came out without much effort. If I had a problem I would heat it first and then hit it with a reverse twist bolt extractor, check them out on harbor freight. I did get spoked when I tested it because I did not put the retaining pin in first. I also didn't line it p properly the first time and it was leaking and the hot and cold was reversed. Pulled it out again and flipped it and made sure the two side jokes lined p properly. Would be
Yep. Absolutely. See my other video the 2nd time I did this. ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html SO MUCH EASIER! Also, many folks have reported that a 1/2" easy out spiral bit works too. I haven't tried it, but I bet an easy out, put in an impact hammer drill would do the trick too. However, a classic puller mechanism puts zero stress on the pipes, and if you are dealing with older copper pipes with sweated joints, that might be important. After a decade of watching comments, I think the puller method is the best. Cheers!
Hey everyone, just a reminder to STOP and THINK. When this whole stuck cartridge thing happened to me, back in 2009, I was desperate to get the water back on. Make sure to try the normal removal tools FIRST. They may work for you in your situation. If so great! You're done. THIS VIDEO IS ONLY for folks who have exhausted normal removal procedures. No you shouldn't use this method as the FIRST try. Read the video description. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED TO!!!! For all you other folks... thank you for all the kind comments. You are the reason I made this video. I thought it could help folks and it has. Namaste and RIGHT ON, RIDE ON!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks you very much for making this video. I have two positemp cartridges that haven’t been changed in 20+ years, and the thought of changing them terrifies me. I got a much better puller tool than the Moen tool, along with a tap and some other tools if things go sideways. Still, I am dreading this procedure. I really appreciate your video! I’m curious what you would have done if the pipe broke or the bolt sheared.😬
@user-mu7jo5hj5prz If it had not worked, I would had to cut open the wall behind and install an entire new faucet, patch the wall repaint etc. Not the end of the world, but not cheap either.
@@uk7769 Yeah, that would be particularly painful for me, as the previous owners installed a bath liner over the tub, so that would need to be ripped out too. Well, I just finished cartridge replacements for two bathroom faucets and the kitchen faucet. I also replaced the base o-rings for the rotating spout, which was a pain because the retaining nut was practically welded to the base.
@user-mu7jo5hj5prz What is the wall behind your faucet? If you can, cut drywall for access behind the faucet. that is easier than cutting tiles or liners.
@@uk7769 Drywall, but then the studs are in the way. If it comes to that, I’ll get a plumber.
Watching your video saved me over $400.00!! After watching I was able to rebuild 2 valves, each over 25 years old, for under $100.00. Thank you so much for sharing your VERY IMPORTANT TIP!!
This was the perfect solution to my problem. Because of the old plumbing, even when you turn the water off, it doesn't turn off completely, which made it hard to to fix. With the cartridge stuck in the pipe and the two prongs broke off AND the rubber seals on the cartridges rotting, we couldn't shut off the water completely after we shower. Thanks to your idea and demonstration, I sit here typing this knowing the faucet isn't leaking anymore. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
I am a 51 year woman, watched both videos, had the really hard to get out sleeve & the really easy one. I did soak the stuck cartridge with vinegar and wd40 for an hour before removal. I also bought T shaped puller. I used that & kept turning the cartridge back & forth with intermittant tugging & came out. It was in there for at least 20 years. The new cartridge went in easily. I noticed it has MOEN engraved on the cylinder and you want to put the MOEN on the right hand side for the cold water.
Worked like a charm!! I borrowed a tap from work, spent $11 on the new cartridge, $5 on the 12mm /1.75 bolt and Ill be damned if I spent 20 min start to fully finished!!! I didn't have a wire brush like yours so I used a 12 Gage bore brush from by cleaning kit and it worked really well. THANK YOU!!! I priced out a plumber and it was $80 JUST for the house call alone. You really saved my ass here. Thank again!!
Fantastic tutorial. I searched all over the Internet for help fixing my old Moen Dialcet, and this was the best source. I relied on it to see what the cartridge looked like, and how to remove it. Nothing better than video and audio. Luckily, my cartridge came out whole. Thank you.
MIne wasn't stuck but I had never done a replacement on anything like this before. The video was very helpful at several stages, much more so than the pict-o-gram instructions that came with the new cartridge. Thanx much fellas.
Fantastic tip.
I was almost at this point and took my heat gun to it and it worked!!!! I might of got lucky but looks like the brass might of expanded just enough to allow me to pull out the cartridge.
Don't even try wd40 it will not get passed the front seal.
it works! you sir are a lifesaver! this was my last ditch effort to get it out after 3 hours of trying everything. Water was off- wife nine months pregnant- 7 pm on a Sunday no plumbers available. thank you again for posting!
BTW I used the washer method... I also broke off the moen tool it was so stuck!
Glad it worked for you and your family. Exactly why I made these vids. And: Mmm hmm. another BROKEN MOEN TOOL. You here that folks. Thats exactly what happened to me, and the answer to all those asking me "why don't you just use the special tool they make... blah blah blah" lol. :)
I was at my wits end trying to figure out what to do with this darn leaking faucet. I tried all sorts of things to get the guts out of the faucet. I pulled and pulled and pulled and finally the inner part came out. I got so mad that I put it back together and It stopped leaking but i want to put the new catridge that I bought into place. I am going to try it one lasttime tomorrow before I use the tap and use your technique. I really appreciate the help. You saved a plumbing bill.
A dozen years later, same squeaking when I was cranking on the wrench. Same butt pukering sensation wondering if it is going to work, snap or bust a pipe somewhere else. Just like yours it finally broke loose and I was able to pull it out. Lots of smiles, giggles and relief.
Mine was a #1200 cartridge. My tap said both 12 and 9/16 on it and i used a lag bolt because that is what i had on hand that fit. Not sure I would recommend that to anyone.
Thank you very much for posting a long time ago.
Thanks, my 1225B wasn't stuck but you gave some solid advice for someone that had only seen this done years ago. You saved my son and wife from a waterless morning! Cheers!
Thank you for posting this. Everything worked beautifully after the shaft had come out and the cartridge remained. Local advice was a) use the Moen cartridge puller (which just sheared the cartridge ears), and b) chiseling the cartridge shell laboriously with a screwdriver (this from a former plumber). 1/2" tap with 1/2-13 bolt worked perfectly. Again, I appreciate the time you took to film and post this.
I just reattached the plastic handle and pulled the stem out and along came the cartridge...thing is I wasn't expecting this so a steady stream of water was flowing until I could run to the basement and close the valves. Informative video, just wish I found it last night!
great way of thinking outside of the box to get that cartridge out. i had a heck of a time pulling out my cartridge in my kitchen sink faucet, sometimes these how to videos make it look too easy when its because they are demonstrating on new piping, etc. which is not usually the case for everybody else. Nice to see someone working really hard to fix a realistic aged scenario of plumbing problems.
Thank you! This video just saved me a $100 service call. Thanks to you, I repaired it for the cost of the new cartridge
Right on man. Thank you for the comment.
Thank you for the great video. I was getting a drip from my 35+ year old shower faucet and followed your lead. Worked great. I used a 1/2 tap with course threads. Hardest part was getting the tap to start, so I ran the fine thread tap into the hole for one turn first. Then, the course thread worked like a charm. Ace had both the plastic and the brass replacement cartridge, I bought both, ended up using the brass one. Mine came loose a little easier than yours. Thanks again.
This worked perfectly!! Tapped it and used a 12m x 1.75 pitch x 100mm hardened bolt. I was starting to get worried when the socket started to get a little tight even though I knew I had more bolt to go and I was having to use more than a little arm strength. This video was a life saver!! My situation was for a 1200 type Moen single handle shower faucet.
Just came here to say THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You saved me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on a plumber!! Thank you!!!!
This video is 100% spot on! Thank you so much, you saved me a ton of time. I used a 1/2"x13 tap, and a 2 1/2" grade 8 bolt, nut & washer. Excellent advice. Super Easy.
Did exactly what you said to do in the video. Had a catridge that was in there for 30 years. Once I tapped it and screwed in the bolt it turned in 4 rotations. Thanks!
you guys saved my bacon. After that stem came out with out the casing, I had thoughts of a plumber having to tear out the wall to replace the plumbing and 100s of $ later. Again you have really done your civic duty with this video. It worked perfectly.......Thanks!
Thanks for posting this! Mine did the same thing. I had to by a tap and handle 1/2" and I bought the bolt also. I didn't need the bolt because my cartridge broke loose when I was tapping it. Thanks again! Mine ended up being a Moen 1200.
I took a heat gun to mine and it worked fine! I might of got lucky but you might want to give it a try before the tap procedure.
(Real ancient post, I know)
I'm about to attempt removal of a similarly old cart that's been in use where water comes from a well, so pretty crusty. And I wondered about this, using some gentle torching. I have a fireproof backing I can slide in behind it just for this purpose to protect the wall.
Thanks for confirmation it might make things easier.
Thanks. You saved me a 900 dollar plummer fee. I followed all instructions and its good to go. I lost the little retaining clip, so I used a paper clip I spent around 30 bucks. Thanks again
A paper clip?! MacGyver!!
This saved my bacon. He says 12 mm/1.75 tap size, but I used a 1/2"-13 tap-- fit perfect. Valve body actually started rotating before I finished tapping. Cost < $7.00 at Ace hardware. BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks so much! I had a stuck moen shower cartridge that's probably been there at least 30 years! I watched your video -- Wow! What a public service! I did everything just like on your video, complete with squeeking sound effects as I turned the socket wrench! (The sound would have probably made me hesitate if I had not seen your video.) Great job on the video! Once again, thanks!
Thank you!! This worked perfectly. I had visions of $$$$$ plumber bills in my mind when that core popped out. Our Moen bath facet had been in since the 60's so it had a good run, but also had plenty of build up to be stuck. Thank you again.
The cartridge on our faucet isn't stuck but, since I've never changed one, your video was really helpful on getting an idea. Thanks for the vid post.
This worked 100%. It wasn't as easy to get the cartridge out, but we sprayed the hell out of it and then rotated it. Repeat a few times. We also had one of us hold the back of the valve and pipes to make sure we didnt pull too hard to break the pipes. at one point we had the it 1/3 of the way out and couldnt get further. We took the bolt out and used needle nosed pliers and pulled slowly. Took about 30 minutes.
For anyone who watches some of these videos before attempting the job, as I did, you might try heating the valve body with a hair dryer for 10 minutes before trying to remove it and possibly breaking the cartridge. I did that, along with several applications of white vinegar over 1.5 days, and a cartridge that had been installed 32 years ago came right out with the help of a Moen 104421 cartridge puller. A hair dryer won't get things hot enough to melt any solder joint, so no need to worry about that.
Great video. 1/2 X 13 TPI works great too and they are more common to be laying around the garage.
Thank you!!! This method worked for me..Still 3 trips to the hardware store though....I never would have thought of this on my own.Thanks again!!
If I could shake your hand right now I would!! You just saved me a ton of money and trouble, worked like a champ! Little scary wrenching so hard on the bolt but she finally came. Thanks!!!
It worked! I am so thrilled....took awhile to figure out, but thanks for your guidance.
Amazing video, especially the retaining clip. If you don't know it's there it's really a problem. That part of the video was invaluable to me. Thanks so much for posting this. Cost me under $25 (including a new clip, which we broke, for $3.99. Quite a savings from what a plumber would have cost.
Hey uk , i am so glad i saw your video , i just had the EXACT same faucet . I went to Home Depot and bought the same puller you did and all it did was pull out the center piece . I had prevously gone to a plumbing store and the guy told me , instead of tapping it out , use and eas out tool if i had one big enough . I did and it worked PERFECTLY , oh and i also had sprayed some penetrating oil in there and let it sit for a while . I am done now , worked great , thanks so much !!
Dudelift
Moen recommends having the bolt push against a 1" - 2" (25-50 mm), 3/8" (10 mm) dowel inside the cartridge to pull it out. The reason for having the bolt push against a dowel is because most taps can't reach deeply enough to cut threads all the way to the end to let a bolt reach in deeply enough. To minimize the chance of the cylinder turning, oil the tap and bolt.
Great Video - I ran into the same issue, I went and picked up an easy out bit and it works perfectly!
Dude! I had to create an account just to thank you for showing us how this problem is to be solved; you are a GODSEND!! This worked perfectly; I would have never figured this out on my own and you saved me hundreds of dollars that would have been spent on a plumber...thanks again man...words alone cant convey my gratitude to you! :)
Michael Williams , one of these is much much easier
Danco 60885 Cartridge Puller
This worked perfectly for me! 1/2" tap along with a 1/2" x 5" hex bolt. It took some work and the noise was something aweful, But it worked in the end!
Hey, I gotta say that your video (and I watched several) hit the spot! I had never done this before. But the water kept turning on by itself scaring my grandson. Sure enough it was a two piece removal as of your video. My gratitude to you guys
Love love love it!
This absolutely worked for me just as you laid it out.....thanks so much
IT WORKED!!!! You saved me hundreds of dollars and time and frustration. THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!! THUMBS UP!
I have removed many of these cartridges with success , one key thing that you may not have mention is after you pull the retaining clip you should turn the valve on so the notch on the stem of the cartridge is UP than the cartridge should pull out easier
I have a tip to add. Cover the drain until the job is done. The little clip or other small parts can fall in the drain hole.
You ROCK!! YOU and this video are a Godsend!! I had, that was HAD, a seriously stuck cartridge and although other vids I watched on youtube showed a similar effort, you kept ratcheting until the cartridge snapped loose, the others didn't go that far and theirs seemed to come loose much easier than yours. Mine WAS like yours, seriously seized up and initially I didn't keep turning and turning that bolt for fear of damaging the cartridge.. after watching your video I tried again and continued to turn that ratchet very slowly but forcefully enough to make it turn and sure enough, SNAP!! it popped loose and slid right out. The new cartridge is in place now and the shower has returned to normal! Whoop Whoop, THANK YOU! I forgot to mention I did use a heat gun on low to heat the cartridge housing to create expansion hoping it would help to loosen things up. I don't know if it helped or not but figured it couldn't hurt.
This solution works perfectly! Stuck cartridge no more. Bye bye dripping shower head! Thanks so much!!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This video saved me several hundred dollars!! It worked as described!
Hey everyone. It's amazing this video is still helping people with this potentially expensive $$$$$ situation to be in. I remember that aweful day I first encountered this suck cartridge at my moms house, no water, late on a Sunday of course. IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR NEW FOLKS FACING THIS PROBLEM: this vid above is what I call the "tap and torque" method. It can work, but if I ever had to do again I'd use the "tap and puller" method in my other video. See ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html
Excellent video & explanation...saying it was 12mm/1.75 was very helpful as a larger or smaller diameter probably wouldn't have worked. Your "tap & torque" method saved the day for me as it was late Friday, no plumbers available & no water available until it was fixed. As I was tapping, the cartridge actually came loose enough to pull out without the bolt & torquing, thank you & thank God, very stressful to say the least, darn hard water is the likely culprit.
All the faucets in my home are Moen (7) and I have used the vinegar and WD40 method on all of them to remove the cartridges with no problems.
Thanks so much, your video was extremely helpful and it worked for me. God bless you and your family!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
This did the trick for me and my neighbour.
OMG! THANK YOU SO MUCH for making this video!!!! Helped us out TREMENDOUSLY! You rock man!
Hey, thanks for the video! This likely saved us hundreds of dollars. Followed your video exactly and finally got that stupid piece out.
i dunno why, but this was satisfying to watch..nice work!
Thank you!!! It worked perfectly. Thank you for taking the time to make this!!!
Yea some times you can get a little trash stuck on the hot or cold side, but in some cases. The washer on the hot side will swell if the water heater is up to high and get stuck in on the hot side port. You will need to remove the cartridge to clean it out and get the rest of the washer out of the hole on the side left side of course. Good Luck PlumberX
THANK YOU!!! I would have never thought of the tap/bolt idea! 5 STARS!!!!
I was amazed that you didn't break the copper tubing before the cartridge came free. Because... You taped part way into the cartridge and yet you were turning the bolt down to the bottom of the taped part and whereas, additional screwing of the bolt would be trying to create its own threads and thus end up spreading the cartridge and jamming it into the fixture body.
Fortunately, you were lucky!
Yeah we were relieved we didn't break the pipes too. As you can tell by our sigh of relief. lol. That's why the puller method in my 2nd video is a much better method. ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html Cheers!
I don't know if anyone else posted a comment on your tapping method, but you are supposed to go no more than 1/2 turn forward and then always 1/4 turn back to break the chip, otherwise, you are just loading up the tap. It doesn't matter whether you are tapping steel, brass, aluminum, always the same method. 1/2 forward, 1/4 back, 1/2 forward, 1/4 back, etc. Otherwise, thanks, and I hope you don't mind the input.
you really are my hero. thanks for posting this video! MAN you saved me!!!!!!! you rock!!!
That was a really helpful video. That's a plumber's worse nightmare. I'm going to have to get that tap and bolt for the van so I have it just in case that ever happens to me. But btw it's called a valve body, not faucet.
Great questions. Not sure, I think some people have had success with an easy/bolt extractor. However, on the extreme cases of stuckness, unless it's large enough diameter, it might break. You have to use tool with enough strength to survive the torque. Some cartridges break free more easily than others. But don't know until you try it. In my friends case(the one in this video) I thought we'd rip the pipes right out of the wall. I think a tool less than 3/8" dia would have twisted or broken.
Thank you!! This video saved my husband and I $$$!!
Very glad it helped. People like you is why I left this video up after UA-cam demonetized all of us small content creators.
Im havin the same problems. A stuck cartridge. After seeing this video Im almost convinced to call and pay a plumber at this point. I sprayed around the cartridge with liquid wrench and gonna let it sit overnight. If it still wont come out im gonna call the plumber. Its crazy to have to go to such extremes as in this video!!!
That's great. Thanks for confirming the standard size works too. Now others will know that one too. For shits and giggles, I looked up the conversion 12mm = 0.4724409448824 inches. So about 3 hundredths of and inch or about 7 sheets of paper difference.
Hey folks. I was one of the lucky ones on this endeavor. After reading about the crappy plastic removal tool that comes with the cartridge always breaking, my approach was to GENTLY apply pressure to the right for about 15-30 seconds, then to the left. You can sort of tell when the plastic is about to crack so just go slow with it. I sprayed CLR in the cartridge and pulled the valve back and forth. After about 3-5 min of this, it started to come free. I spun it about 20-30 times before pulling
The tool I bought was worth every penny!
Used the tap, washers and 1/2 inch bolt work great, Thanks.
I used a 12mm/1.75 thread tap , and a matching 12mm diameter bolt, about 4 inches long. Other folks have had success using a 1/2 inch diameter tap and matching bolt.
In the years I been a plumber, I have never had one that stuck. But good idea none the less! A plumber would have usually just replaced the entire valve assembly. The "seats" the cartridge seals against could be pretty hashed at this point, and just replacing the parts may result in a call back (we don't like those lol).
Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I found it extremely helpful.
Understanding what was involvled made this a very easy process!
A+++++
Heya buddy.. thanks for the tip.. i ended up using a huge lag bolt and it worked.. not as much finesse but got'r out!!
Thanks again!
Thank you thank you thank you. You are a lifesaver! Worked perfectly!
Thanks for posting this I know it will be helpful to many folks.
@nathan12203 Appreciate the comment. Yes, everyone should attempt all less drastic measures BEFORE using the technique in this video. The T-tool you mention, and the special Moen puller tool did not work for 3 of the 4 cartridges I've replaced. The T-tool broke off, leaving pieces of the tool broken inside the cartridge. I was lucky to get the broken tool pieces out. This video is a LAST RESORT when all other methods have failed.
@jmvoorhies I'm not sure. Have you removed the cartridge yet? I'd turn the water back off, and check the cartridge. Maybe turn it 180 degrees and put it back in. Then if the problem reverses, (hot water but no cold) you know its the cartridge. But again, I'm not a plumber. ???
This just saved my ass. The 12mmx1.75 tap, handle and bolt cost me around 20 bucks at osh. A little PB and she popped right out. And on a plus note I look like a plumbing genius to my wife and I got a new tap handle!
Another video shows to put a piece of dowel in before you tap it. this causes the tap to push against the dowel and push the cartridge out. good video. U tube is screwing a lot of publishers.
My plumber helped me out by suggesting getting a tap and a wooden dowel. This must be a tight fit, as you screw in the tap it pushes the dowel down and forces the cartridge to move up and out. He even sent me to the local ACE hardware store and said to not take the first traditional puller they handed to me, but to then ask for the one with the dowel in it. The store had prepared a packet with the tap and the dowel.
Thanks for the update. Very cool. Others had success with the tap and dowel method too.
It worked like a charm! Thanks for sharing brother!
NOTE!!! Hi folks after watching this video (tap and torque method) please see a much easier way to do this via (tap and puller method) if you have some washers or the correct size socket available. See ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html
I think they are interchangable. The Moen model 1200 brass cartridge I got at Home Depot for about $22. I think you can use the Moen 1225B plastic body cartridge but I haven't used it.
I just heated up the housing up with a propane torch with the stem still in and pulled everything out with channel locks. Be careful not to over heat. Pull and heat at the same time if you can.
That is a good tip. I do just that by habit, so I didn't even think to mention it.
Thanks! Your video was a great help. BTW, the half inche tap worked great.
@Airwrek1 Hmm. I'm not sure. Of the two replacements I've done, the stem just pulled out easily with a pair of pliers. Can you adapt the core puller to pull against the faucet body, then use the the stem screw thread that the faucet handle attaches to? Or maybe put a small washer on using the faucet handle screw. Try holding some wood boards against the wall, enough to be about level with the stem/washer. Then use a hammer/nail puller to yank out the stem like you are pulling a nail out. ???
I had an great experience changing the cartridge. I guess I didn't completely drain the water from the pipes so when I removed the cotter style top pin the old cartridge just came shooting out! I got a bit wet but hey!...I had a good laugh too!
Awesome work and very useful video.
Thank you buddy 🙏🙏
@wkstewart I think you need to pull the stem out of the cartridge first. Then, that is the hole you tap. It's the inner wall of the cartridge. I tried to tap threads about an inch deep, but not all the way down the cartridge.
Great video UK!! Sounds like a Velociraptor from Jurrassic Park when you're torquing the bolt to get the cartridge to move.
thanks for the comment. I tried several of the removal tools. Not sure the one you mentioned. The ones I tried all broke. If you have a link to the tool your are talking about, send it to me. I'd like to check it out.
Try using a 1 1/2 drywall screw and drill it to the plastic on the side go easy and see the magic works with the 1222 moen. It only took me a minute to get it out
The tub/shower faucet cartridge is model 1200B for anyone that is searching not available at your local store for replacement. Seems to be from Moen only. Or online order from everyone else
Don
I had no problem. Bought the danko removal tool and it came out without much effort. If I had a problem I would heat it first and then hit it with a reverse twist bolt extractor, check them out on harbor freight. I did get spoked when I tested it because I did not put the retaining pin in first. I also didn't line it p properly the first time and it was leaking and the hot and cold was reversed. Pulled it out again and flipped it and made sure the two side jokes lined p properly. Would be
Thanks for commenting! Glad it worked for you too.
just had the same problem.. good thing i got it 2 come out without resorting 2 that
A little hint before you put the bolt in use a 3/4 in.socket & when you tighten the bolt it will act like a puller
Yep. Absolutely. See my other video the 2nd time I did this. ua-cam.com/video/XmBf4O1hM2k/v-deo.html SO MUCH EASIER! Also, many folks have reported that a 1/2" easy out spiral bit works too. I haven't tried it, but I bet an easy out, put in an impact hammer drill would do the trick too. However, a classic puller mechanism puts zero stress on the pipes, and if you are dealing with older copper pipes with sweated joints, that might be important. After a decade of watching comments, I think the puller method is the best. Cheers!