Things You'll Need
Wrench
Needle-nose pliers
A cartridge faucet utilizes a plastic or metal cylindrical cartridge, which contains a stem that moves when the faucet's handle is operated. When the stem is raised, holes within the stem line up with holes in the cartridge to allow cold and hot water to mix together. Over time, the internal components of the cartridge corrode, necessitating replacement. Although installing a new cartridge is a straightforward task, removing the exiting cartridge can be a challenge. For this reason, Moen produces a tool that allows its user to easily remove a stubborn cartridge with minimal effort.
Step 1
Ensure that the water supply has been turned off.
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Step 2
Remove the faucet's retaining nut by turning the nut in a clockwise direction with a wrench. The retaining nut is the large nut that surrounds the base of the faucet. It is used to hold the cartridge in place.
Step 3
Remove the "U" shaped retaining clip from the top of the cartridge. The retaining clip must be pulled away from the side of the cartridge with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Step 4
Note the alignment of the cartridge by identifying the position of the two tabs, sometimes referred to as "ears," located on the top of the cartridge housing. These two tabs slide into notches that have been cut into the rim of the faucet body.
Step 5
Unscrew the small hex screw from the closed end of the Moen cartridge puller until the threads on the end of the screw becomes visible.
Step 6
Place the opposite end of the puller over the cartridge. Ensure that the slots on the end of the puller align with the tabs or ears located in Step 4.
Step 7
Turn the small hex screw on the puller until the screw stops.
Step 8
Hand-tighten the large hex nut located in the middle of the puller, then pull the puller away from the cartridge to remove it. If the cartridge will not disengage, turn the large hex nut with a wrench one full turn, then pull the puller away from the cartridge again. Repeat until the cartridge can be removed.
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