Hey Gang,
FYI...I just encountered a problem with a stuck Grohe Euromix cartridge in my shower valve. After finding a replacement cartridge (no easy task as this is an old valve) I attempted to follow the procedure given by Grohe on removing the cartridge using the existing nut and a supplied white plastic spacer to unscrew the old cartridge. Unfortunately, due to poor design, Grohe doesn't supply enough thread on the existing nut to allow the spacer to remove the cartridge as you unscrew the nut. You basically run out of threads and can't get enough leverage to pull out the stuck cartridge!
Unlike a Moen, Grohe doesn't make a puller to make this an easier task.
Tech support was no help.
After much yanking, pulling, prying, harsh language, banged up fingers I gave up and called my plumber for help. When he found out what I was dealing with, he told me "...this is a problem valve and hard to work with ...I'll call you back and see you Friday". Well, he never showed up and then wouldn't return my numerous phone or text messages. My anxiety factor was increased ten fold. I'm screwed I thought.
Problem....what to do..
Solution....
Take a pair of needle nose vice grips and secure them tightly around the shaft just behind the flange on the stem. Leave about 1/2 inch of the tips of the pliers exposed on one side while resting the handles on the surrounding tile on the other side. I placed some padding under the handles to avoid damaging the tiles.
I then placed a 1/4" (or similar ) board on top of the tile which I rested a crowbar on. This was done to spread out the force when using the crowbar so I wouldn't crack the tile on that side. I placed the crowbar under the exposed tips of the vice grips and leveraged that bugger out!.
After cleaning the hole with emery cloth, and lubing it with lithium grease, I slipped in the new valve and was back in business.
I place this post in order to save others who have this poorly engineered valve the same headache I had in changing this cartridge. In my book Grohe should supply a tool like Moen to make this task an easy (easier) one.
If this helps just one person then it is worth it.
Good luck!
FYI...I just encountered a problem with a stuck Grohe Euromix cartridge in my shower valve. After finding a replacement cartridge (no easy task as this is an old valve) I attempted to follow the procedure given by Grohe on removing the cartridge using the existing nut and a supplied white plastic spacer to unscrew the old cartridge. Unfortunately, due to poor design, Grohe doesn't supply enough thread on the existing nut to allow the spacer to remove the cartridge as you unscrew the nut. You basically run out of threads and can't get enough leverage to pull out the stuck cartridge!
Unlike a Moen, Grohe doesn't make a puller to make this an easier task.
Tech support was no help.
After much yanking, pulling, prying, harsh language, banged up fingers I gave up and called my plumber for help. When he found out what I was dealing with, he told me "...this is a problem valve and hard to work with ...I'll call you back and see you Friday". Well, he never showed up and then wouldn't return my numerous phone or text messages. My anxiety factor was increased ten fold. I'm screwed I thought.
Problem....what to do..
Solution....
Take a pair of needle nose vice grips and secure them tightly around the shaft just behind the flange on the stem. Leave about 1/2 inch of the tips of the pliers exposed on one side while resting the handles on the surrounding tile on the other side. I placed some padding under the handles to avoid damaging the tiles.
I then placed a 1/4" (or similar ) board on top of the tile which I rested a crowbar on. This was done to spread out the force when using the crowbar so I wouldn't crack the tile on that side. I placed the crowbar under the exposed tips of the vice grips and leveraged that bugger out!.
After cleaning the hole with emery cloth, and lubing it with lithium grease, I slipped in the new valve and was back in business.
I place this post in order to save others who have this poorly engineered valve the same headache I had in changing this cartridge. In my book Grohe should supply a tool like Moen to make this task an easy (easier) one.
If this helps just one person then it is worth it.
Good luck!