“Prices have really gone up on these. I am pretty sure if you can wait you can get a new one for free from Moen but you need the serial number off the valve body. I could not wait so paid the price but it is OEM quality.”
“I had a drip in my shower after I did a retrofit kit to convert a 3valve into a single valve. The problem was the after market valve that the kit came with. I went to my local big box hardware store and bought a store brand valve went home installed it and it stopped leaking for about 2 days then started to drip again. So I did a little research and found out that everyone has this problem. Long story short buy (oem) original engineered manufacturer. This valve is made to tighter specifications a hair more of wiggle it leaks this one hasn't leaked in months of daily use. Save your self the trouble and buy this one. Thank me later...”
“Didn't stop any of the dripping. I will be sending it back. After doing more research, I bought some silicone grease and applied it to the cartridge. This time the cartridge seated all the way in and seems to have eliminated the dripping so far”
“Went on Youtube and found two relevant videos on the topic from: "Check It Out !!!" and "Stephanie Vandaelle"Cartridge is about 20 years old in a building that has a lot of mineral in the water. So lots of build up and really appreciate how long it's lasted.Shower handle fell off because the rod or stem was pretty much rotted away. Unfortunately rotating it with the plastic removal tool only helps to loosen it a bit but not by much. Couldn't use Cartridge Removal Tool, the metal one, because the stem or rod fell off and you need to screw on to that to be able to pull it out.Tools:Adjustable WrenchDrill and Drill BitAny long wood screwPry barWood plank or Long Metal Rod to Brace against TileCutter to mark and make drilling easyManual Screw DriverHeatgun or Hair DryerActual work time: 12 minsLooking for my disorganized tools: 45 minsDisassembled shower handle until I could access the shower cartridge and manifold. Turned OFF water via manifold (usually counter clockwise until it stops). Apartment building here so if your water shutoff might be in a different location.Drilled bottom of cartridge, the plastic part. Easier if you mark where you'll drill with a cutter so the drill bit finds purchase otherwise it'll slip around. Make sure it's straight as possible to not damage the pipes. Make a judgment call on whatever size you want based on the wood screw you plan on using. Makes sure it's not too big. I used a random wood screw that long enough to pry off of.Used a cheap $10 heat gun on the pipes until it was warm. Used plastic tool to rotate slightly ( not completely since the top of the cartridge hits the pipes and can only be rotated 180 degrees once it's actually out) and loosen cartridge clockwise. This absolutely helped to loosen the cartridge almost right away. No struggling at all. Things would have been worse without it.Used a manual screwdriver so I could better control the force on the woodscrew. Damaged pipes are more expensive work so be patient and careful.Then used prybar on the woodscrew. Metal rod or wood plank to brace on tile ( and protect tile) and leverage prybar off that. Do it SLOWLY and CONTROLLED and do not yank agressively. Be careful not to go ham as to not damage the metal pipe. Used heat gun again when encountered resistance in pipes. Once head of cartridge is stuck and no longer embedded in the pipe and have room to turn, I switched to the Moen Plastic Removal Tool and an adjustable wrench. Didn't need to yank it out after that just did a back and forth motion mostly going clockwise.Voila! Cartridge came out easy. I am thankful to the Youtube videos for such a great idea and my humble and mighty heat gun for helping a STUCK cartridge with a BROKEN STEM so easily done in less than 15 mins.By the way, the shower handle position will be in the middle position. So you might want to move it clockwise until it closes so you don't get a burst of water from the tub faucet once you turn the water back on. I completely forgot about this and found out the hard way.Talked to a retired handyman and he said once you encounter a good deal of resistance in the shower handle, should be a good time to replace the cartridge. I think I will take his advice from here on and save myself so much trouble.”
“I had a real hard time getting the old cartridge out. If I had to do it again, I would buy the puller that is advertised elsewhere. Once the old cartridge was out, and the fixture cleaned up it went back together easily. The silicon lube was useful to get it back together, it is a tight fit.”
“Mine must have been on the way out for years. finally gave way and after we replaced it the valve turned way easier. Unless you're pretty handy i'd have a plumber swap it out. had to borrow a special tool from my brother in law to get it done.”
