WATCH THIS!!! if you have a stuck Moen Cartridge 

What tool did you go with? Thanks for watching.

This is the single most helpful video I found for helping get out a stuck 1225 cartridge. Thanks so much for making my first foray into plumbng a success!

Great videos both the first and this one. This one, though, really clarifies the cartridge removal process and showcases good tools. Today, I removed a Moen 1222 cartridge and got by using the white plastic provided spanner. Worked using slow, steady force. These instructional videos are awesome!

Mine was removed from a calcified 20 yr install. The Danco tool worked for me after watching this video showing how to properly use it. I also sprayed some loosener and just slowly got it out. When I went to install the new one, I cleaned the valve tube, but the calcium had built up so much that I couldn't insert it. Since there was no turning back, I sat patiently with CLR and a small steel brush and worked out the gunk. Once the new cartridge would slide in without excessive force, I got the clip back in and wrapped it up. Thank you for this great video👍

Fantastic video and I bought both the tool (Danco core puller) and cartridge at Lowes the tool was $16 and the replacement was $58, and only took a few turns to push out. No need to buy the grease, it comes with a small packet in the kit. To take the tool off, losen the bolt first and the the top screw will come off the tool for reuse. I am now my neighbors expert plumber for these units. Since most of the homes in my area are only about 7 years old and others have been having the same problem and I easily saved $200 to $300 by not calling a plumber. I am a youtube engineer and proud of it, from plumbing, electrical, gardening, putting my back in place and keeping my 3 vehicles running. Thank You. ( Just remember to read the numbers on the top of the cartridge to find the correct one at the hardware store and remember to turn off water and release the pressure on the shower valve first and be ready to put a towel under the pipe, because you will still get some water popping out and you don't want this to run down the back of the wall. Plus, plug the drain, so no screws fall down, also use the plastic part to push in the new cartirdge)

Your 2 video's saved the day. After day 1 and the cartridge did not come out, I used the white connector that came with the cartridge and after lubricating it the day before, I physically turned to loosen the cartridge. Repair complete, no leak and all went back together. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR GUIDANCE

What a great video. You have a nice speaking voice. You're easy to understand. Thanks!

Thank you, you saved another helpless person! We had no idea how to properly use the puller tool

I decided to buy the Ona puller after watching this video. If I were plumber I would buy the Lakeview puller too. Thanks a lot for the video.

The trick on how to use the puller was a life saver. Thank you!

Thanks so much, Your video saved me a hell of a lot of problems. I had to get the place ready and i was sweating. No puller, amazing.

Thank you for making this video!!! As I write this it is ten at night, I have guests (my parents) visiting, and I have to shut off all the water to my house because of one flow control handle. I have had to sort through a TON of noise before I found your video. I am grateful that you were so thorough and informative. Im confident I can get what I need done tomorrow.

Thank you so much. This was so clear and detailed.

You saved my life!! Or at least a couple of hairs on my head. Both your install and how to remove a stuck cartridge. Home Depot only had the Danco, but it worked. At first I thought it wasn't because my daughter didn't tell me she was having issues and ground those black rubber ovals down to shreds. So, when I was trying to get unstuck, it sounded and felt awful when tightening. But I watched your video again and just gave it a few more twists and it started to some out. Only thing I didn't see in yours or other videos was the pin. I was assuming it went around the cartridge but after rewatching, I was able to see some movement of the pin in front of the cartridge. But love how you explain step by step with some extra details, but no fluff. I went with the Moen in instead of the ACE or the Danco; works so smoothly. Thanks a bunch!!! I'm gonna start listening to more of your videos to see how else you can make my life easier!!!

Great video !! I bought the Moen cartridge remover on Amazon for about 60$ including tax The key is to keep slowly turning the nut which causes the cartridge to be pulled out. The key is to do it slowly to avoid any undue force that may cause any part of the cartridge to crack/break. If you are succeeding then you will know because when the cartridge is coming out you can see the top plastic part of the cartridge move away from the metal of the valve body(as seen more clearly when Big Al moves the nut back to reveal the cartridge has come out). Extra note to those out there that are newbies like me and this is the first time: Once the cartridge is coming out and you cannot turn the nut more (for me this happened at about half as far as it did for Big Al) then carefully hold the handle and with constant gentle pressure turn the handle left-right over and over slowly pulling at the same time to coax the cartridge out. If it is a newish cartridge and the previous installer put grease on it than this will be easier. If it is an extremely old cartridge made of metal then this may be more difficult. In my case, the original plumber didn't secure the valve tight enough to a wooden structure so the whole thing was moving in and out when I applied pressure, so I used a wrench applied to the metal valve body that sticks out of the wall and another set of hands to hold the wrench to stop the valve body from moving back and forth, both when I removed the cartridge and when I inserted it. Don't forget that once the new cartridge is inserted with the HC (hot cold indicating hot on left and cold on right) in the top position, to use pliers to turn the protruding gold metal post 180 to the right to close the water, so that when you turn on the water supply it does not come gushing out. The other problem I ran into was that one of the holes that the faceplate is to screw into on the valve body was blocked by my fiberglass shower cause the hole in the fiberglass was not made large enough by the original installer. I had to chip away carefully to remove the fiberglass so that when I affix the plate cover, I could get the screw in straight so it connects with the screw hole on the valve body to secure the face plate. Take a good look at the valve body with a flashlight before you attempt to install the faceplate. When the faceplate is put on straight, you will notice that the two holes to attach it are located on the top right and one on the bottom left. (diagonal to each other, weird !) You should see the same orientation of screw holes in your valve body in the wall. It was not easy to make the screws go into the holes in the valve body to screw the faceplate in because you can't see anything at this point cause the faceplate is blocking your view. That's why should should take a good look at the wholes in the valve body to help you orient the screws once the faceplate is placed . So you have to go by feel. Put the screw in as straight as possible then hold with your fingers and move it around until you feel it lands onto something solid then turn to screw it in a bit with your fingers and if it is in the hole in the valve body it will start feeling secure so you know its in and you can continue screwing it in now with a screw driver (Philips). Make sure to screw one screw a bit at a time and alternate between the two screws. You never want to screw one screw in all the way, both have to go in a bit at a time. Since my valve body was not well secured in the wall to a wooden structure, screwing the face plate in brought the valve body closer and closer to the wall of my fiberglass shower and this helped to make that valve body stable. If you have any worries about water leakage then turn your water on before putting the faceplate on, and after the cartridge is installed with the pin. (Please note the cartridge is well seated in the valve body when the plastic with the HC inscription is right up against the metal of the valve body.) Then you can look into the hole in the wall and observe if any water is leaking in the wall with the water on. There is a small chance that if a joint in the copper pipes was not soldered properly, originally, and you were rough with your install and made all the pipes clang back and forth during the install, a joint may crack and leak. So always check for water leakage in the wall by turning on the water supply and turning the cartridge post using pliers before adding the faceplate. It is recommended to add a thin bead of clear caulking around the faceplate at the point where it meets the wall to avoid water or humidity from entering into the wall. Hopes this helps the newbies like me ! Thanks Derek for this video you saved me hundreds of dollars. 💞

My parents had been using a wrench to just turn their cartridge stem for years after their handle broke. So the stem itself was smashed and unable to thread a remover into it. After applying heat using a hair dryer for 15 minutes (and an additional 10 minutes when it still wouldn't budge), the cartridge basically slid right out. I wish the puller could've worked for their cartridge, but I wanted to mention the heat in case it helps anyone else.

Excellent video. I wish that I had watched this one before I removed the valve. Your demonstration was much better than the instructions in the package. Since I'm a little old lady, I also used the Danco puller to push the new cartridge back into the valve. I hope I don't have to do the other bathroom anytime soon.

YOU ARE DA MAN!!!!! Excellent instruction! Made the whole thing easy as PIE!! Thank you!

Wow. Amazing video. I've been to 2 huge plumbing supply stores and showed them your video. I wish I had the last 2 tools.

Thank you for the clear instructions, l watched many videos and your is the best. It saved me a lot of time and money. I used the danco puller and it did the job for me.

Good video. I have struggled to get many of these cartridges out. Now I know there some good tool options that make the job much easier.

Wish I knew about the ona puller before. I just melted out my cartridge with a torch and it was not fun. Thanks for your video.

Great video on how to use the Danco tool. The written instructions were terrible. This video helped me get it done.

What a world difference on the tools. Thank you for sharing this video.

This seems really promising. Thanks

Single mom here. Hiring a plumber just wasn’t in the budget so I tried to change the shower cartridge myself. Of course I had an old cartridge that was Very stuck even with the Moen tool. I couldn’t get anything to work. I watched your video and using the tool with a wrench, was able to finally get the old cartridge out! Thank you for your expertise, great video!

Well done! Nice and clear, good explanation.

Thank you very much; this video helped a lot.

Thanks I have not seen the Lake view puller before. I will check into buying a couple.

Thanks you saved the day. Great video. I used the Everbilt tool and it worked great.

Maaaan, that Lakeview Puller is the business. You put me up on game. Brandon goes into the manufacturing of the product, how to use and care for the tool.. when I called the company, BRANDON picked up the phone, unheard of in this day and age. Even shipping was a day faster than Brandon assumed. Awesome product and great service. I spent 2 days trying free a stuck cartridge. My property has at least 10 other units that I feared would’ve been the same struggle, but now with the Puller, I’m looking forward to the task 💪🏾

Guys and Girls! I just fixed a 20 year old pipe with the first option. You have to use a rust remover (not wD40) the cheaper “specialized for rust) worked perfect. I sprayed the surrounding pipe. Used the puller wiggled it left to right while pulling (not too hard) took out the puller, added more rust remover, and repeated the process until it loosened up. It takes patience, will save you time from having to break the pipe.

Thanks for this video. I got it out easy. Didnt know about the puller

great video..ordered the Lakeview tool...thank you,,,

Very good. I think the basic puller (Danco for about $20) causes more problems than it solves as I've seen a few folks break their cartridges with this puller. The ONA seems like a great idea but it a bit pricey considering you'll likely only use it a few times in your life and then lose it ;-). For pros it would be great. I decided to just call a plumber when I had mine badly stuck... just didn't want to cause a bigger problem and even more expense. Great video! Thanks.

Nice video. I didn’t need any of the tools. My cartridge pulled out pretty easy. I had the most trouble with the darn set screw for the 🤬 handle.

Changed mine yesterday. Took a pair of needle nose pliers to turn the cartridge. Then pulled it out with some channel lock pliers.

Well done! Thank you

I am going with Ona, although Lakeshore looks like a winner if you do a lot of these moens. I agree with your comment on Danco replacement cartages being bad...I have tried them several times over the years and they all started to leak within 6 weeks.

Hi, thanks for the video very informative on the 3 different tools. I wonder if you could use a power ratchet for the last tools.

thanks for the video. I wish I would have found your video before I removed mine. I almost couldn't get mine out. thankfully I didn't damage anything.

Can’t thank you enough! Saved the day.

Thank you for this, wish I would've seen it before hand. I used the Danco puller, it's all the store had. Actually tried to read the directions too, but they sucked. And on my faucets, double bath tub faucet, I didn't have a copper pipe sticking out like that, mine was just the plastic piece of the cartridge. So you helped with one, I started using the nut on it to pull it out, and it helped loosen it. The other side, I messed up the plastic and it took me a good hour of just wiggle/pull/wiggle/pull with every tool I had handy. Now, I'm having a hard time getting the new ones in fully. Just a slight gap, they won't budge any further. And putting the handles on...OMG lol. I'm so disgusted, I'm not even going to bother turning the water back on, I'm just going to bed and deal with it tomorrow.

Used the first tool on a VERY stuck cartridge, and it was a hassle. One thing that worked for me was that once the big nut on the removal tool was no longer useful, I took the remover tool out and used vice pliers on the cartridge white plastic body. After a lot of wiggle and pull, it came out. Parts of the rubber of the old cartridge were stuck inside, so I need to clean up a bit (nose pliers, paper towel, etc). This video shows how things works, very useful for first timers, thanks!

you did a great job in explaining how to remove a stuck mow, I have the same problem, but the plumber could not remove it, i wish you were i Glendale, ca area to hire you, I am losing so much water in dreping. thank you

Excellent video thanks

Awesome thanks, I was stuck with the tool until I saw you use the plier to turn the nut. Of course we only read or watch when we stuck.

After ordering one of the recommended tools, grew impatient and tried the plastic tool included with the cartridge. It worked great. Guess the cartridge only needed a little nudge. Without the video, I would never have figured out the purpose of the white plastic piece. Assumed that it was an ill-fitting cap.

I bought the Danco tool, it is poorly made but still works. It was $17, and it did get half the valve out to where I had to break the rest apart with a needle nose. The tool is in rough shape but still useable for the future. What it did is saved me $100.

Pulled my 1222b cartridge out using screw with lever method. Had to remove the plastic sleeve using a 3/4 inch tap and bolt with washers to screw the sleeve out.

Great video, I wish i saw this yesterday, I got the cartridge out but it sure was "a pain in the arse".Tony

that wrench is right out of an antique toolbox., nice tool.

Thank you so much.

great info. thanks

I want to change the faucet in my condo unit. I am pretty sure the tub, faucet, and spout/diverter are original from 1982. I am going to get one of the pullers and hopefully the cartridge will come out fairly easy.

Thank you.

So the easiest cheapest way for me after snapping the brass shaft, was drilling a hole ~.25" deep. Then I put a construction screw, similar to a decking screw, getting it as straight as possible. I put the torx/star bit in my dril, not my impact, select high speed and turned the screw/brass full speed until I saw smoke 🤔 or steam and continue 20-30sec after that point. You should hear it sizzling, then grab the screw if secure enough or the cartridge if you have narrow grippie pliers and it slides out with ease. I was surprised because it was a plastic cartridge, but this did the trick. Next time I get a stuck one I'll cross thread a screw into the shaft(instead of snapping it pulling&prying) and spin-cook it until it's well-done.

My stem broke of as I was trying to twist it out. I ended up drilling it out with a 3/8” drill bit, first all the metal components in the middle, then the plastic casing walls. It was a laborious process and took a couple of hours. Of course it was a weekend, and the water had to be shut off, and I worried that I’d actually damage the Moan valve, which would be beyond my expertise to replace, plus I’d probably have to cut into the wall to replace it, either from the outside of the house or remove shower tile. Luckily with a lot of patience and persistence I got it all out.

thank you very much

Hi I would like to know where can I buy the lakeview puller ? Your video is very helpful thanks for uploading

My 1222 B came out and left the plastic sleeve in the pipe. I thought the ona puller would pull the sleeve out using the 2nd function you talked about. It was not big enough to grab the plastic sleeve on the 1222; it is sized to work on the other Moen cartridge (1220 I think).

In my case the brass stem broke off inside the cartridge;any suggestions? The ona puller doesn’t fit in the small hole left by the broken stem. Great video, thanks.

The real fun starts when the little rubber grommets peel off inside the valve body...

@hindsight101 what if the brass piece is broken, will tools still work?

Thanks!

if the screw from the handle is broken inside the cartridge, can one tmof the pullers still be used? any suggestions?

I have a 1224 cartridge for bathroom sinks. Can either of these tools work for that?

Hey man, I was able to pull out , but now it won’t go in smoothly. Any tips? I’d appreciate it man!

I have a Moen 1248 Cartridge retaining nut on a roman tub thats deep and stripped from the remover tool what can i use to get it out ?

When I finally got my help. And I put the new one in now. It's stuck just maybe half inch away from going all the way in. And I can't move it at all.

Are the cartridges in different sizes for each Moen faucet?

1:06 - RIP - just bought the Danco cartridge for $39 vs the Moen $54.

Excellent! Thank you for your video!

Very useful advice and tools but I do not recommend the first one for corrosion cartridges, it was extremely wedged and it broke off a piece of the bolt inside because it's kinda, now I'm trying to look up how to remove the broken bolt inside or none of the tools will even work.

I see a lot of people pulling the stuck cartridge out. What happens if you remove the retainer clip, throw a towel over everything abd turn the water on for a couple of seconds? Would water pressure push the cartridge out?

OK, my shower valve has been in there since around 1986 and (obviously) needs a new cartridge. I have no reason to expect an easy extraction, so I bought the ONA and it's on the way. I'm a little worried because I really don't have a Plan B! I'll have to tear into a finished wall to get to the valve body, just to install some caps so I can pressurize the rest of the house. Yikes!!

well done

This is what’s needed, the moen only presses a short distance and then you’ve got yo work it out by pulling.

This video was the most helpful, but I still can’t pull out the cartridge. What else can I do?? HELP!!

I have a better one than those shown. They're ok. So it has not broken the brass piece out. Soon will be out. Have a real action videos pulling the cartridges both. No breaks yet and don't have to worry about the tool getting stuck in the valve. Like the first tool you showed. Plastic extractor. But great job in explaining.

I'm trying to remove the handle itself, which is stuck. It won't slide off like yours. I'm worried about causing more damage if I put more force into it. Any advice?

Bought a Moen puller off Amazon but the teeth don't fit around the white piece. White piece is a bit too wide. Any idea?

how can i get that tool? Greetings from Hermosillo Sonora Mexico !!

Not bad video. Well spoken and informative. You at least showed most tools made for this repair which was nice. And explained the difference nice. Except .. It's not a pipe as you said it's the valve body housing. Seemed a little more professional video than others have done. Sometimes you have to use a tap to remove the outer casing from valve body when the inner valve pulls out and the outer shell casing is stuck. Many people have had this problem happening. A soldiering wire brush can help remove deposits from valve body but shouldn't be overly done not to make valve body to large to seal new cartridge. Plumber's grease should be used for new cartridge!!! Just want to offer my suggestions.

Where do I purchase the ona tool ? Please

I bought the Danco core cartridge remover and it still wouldn't budge. I had to remove it piece by piece and yes it was a nightmare. Thankfully, my resolve won out.

my 1200 broke off so I got a plumber he used That tool and it broke part of the cartridge off and we had no way to get it out, he cut the whole valve out and put a new moen in. Since then I watched a lot of videos. One guy uses a 1/2 die, he makes threads in the old cartridge then uses a 1/2 bolt the remove. I got the old one and I gone to get a die and try it.

Bruuuuuhhhh I was looking like you trying to pull it out 😂😂😂

The issue that I am running into is that the two puller teeth will not go around the white piece on the cartridge when I am using an off-brand Moen puller. No matter what I do, I cannot get the teeth to grab ahold of the white piece - it is almost like the teeth are not wide enough to wrap around the white piece on the cartridge. For what it's worth, the off-brand puller I am using is Ace Hardware branded. Since I cannot get the teeth to hold onto the white piece, the whole operation fails as there is no nothing for the nut to secure onto when I am tightening down the nut - in essence, the nut spins in place as it is not gripping anything. I finally had to use a vice grip and just kept pulling the cartridge until it came out, but I felt like I was going to break either the actual pipe in the wall or something else.

I have a moen three handle shower faucet. I can’t get the wall tube off!! Any ideas?

LOL I already had mine unstuck when I stumbled on this video and it turns out that useless white plastic piece was actually the solution! (don't get me wrong I thought it was useless when I saw it too - pretty flimsy - but it actually worked and only warped slightly)

I use moen cartridge removal and cartridge cracked inside and I been able to take out only half.

Screw broke off in brass piece so i cannot screw any of these into it. Really stuck.

And what do you do if it's stuck AND that little brass nub broke off?

I'm removing the Moen 1222 cartdrige and having problem, it's stuck, I came here for solution, i have the 1st tool and it's not working. I feel I need the 3rd tool but it's too much money for a 1 or 2 times use, but if I was a plumber I would get it, so easy. So I'm still looking....

what do I do if the cartridge plastic broke while pulling it out? I now have half the cartridge stuck and it just seems to not want to come out. I don't want to replace the whole valve....

A small broken piece of the old cartridge plastic still stuck at back of the hole surrounded by hard water deposit. Trying to chip it out with screwdriver, and hammer. Also, trying to figure out what replacement cartridge to buy.

I have Broken Head .. How to puul with this Tool ? I cannot screw as

I replaced the cartridge, now there is a steady drip. Is it possible I have a faulty new cartridge? If not, what do you suggest it might be? I did use use silicon grease, so not sure what it might be. I probably won't try and fix it until Saturday since I don't have the time during the week.

I must disagree that the supplied tool with the cartridge is useless and should be thrown away. To use it correctly place the tool over the cartridge and twist back and forth several times to break the bond between the pipe and the cartridge. With just a little patience and persistence it works just fine for me, and I've replaced many a cartridge over the years.