Moen Cartridge

My tub spout was leaking, so figured my Moen cartridge (Posi Temp 1222) was due for replacement. I last replaced the cartridge about 16 years ago…I think. Like many on the forum, I couldn’t get the cartridge out. It was Christmas Eve, not wanting a holiday mishap, I put the clip over the cartridge and walked away. The spout no longer drips.


When I removed the handle, I noticed that an internal piece of the acrylic had broken off and I’m wondering if that caused the spout to leak. Guess I could buy a replacement handle and see if that fixes the problem. I’m worried about any wear/tear I did while trying to remove the cartridge.


In trying to remove the cartridge, I pulled with all my might, used a silicon spray, and even purchased and tried the cartridge remover tool. I watched many YouTube videos, nothing worked. Over the years, I’ve replaced a couple of cartridges and I’ve never had one stick like this.


Should I call a plumber in and have the faucet replaced or just have them pull the cartridge? My house is 30 years old.


Thanks for “listening.”

Your retaining clip is not back in all the way.

So you probably pulled the cartridge out a little bit.

Maybe that slight repositioning stopped your leak for awhile?

You should not need a new valve, but pay for a pro to pull the cartridge if you are leery of it breaking or causing damage.

Maybe that defect in the handle was letting it sit in the wrong orientation to be fully off?

I think even Home Depot sells new handles, or a compatible knock-off.

You don’t want silicone spray, try penetrating oil such as PB Blaster.
Let it soak in for a few days, and run occasional straight hot water to soften up the seals and give it a better chance to get in there.

Hope you can pull it if necessary!

Thanks for your fast reply. On the day I tried to remove it I used CRC Power Lube, petroleum based lube. It's difficult getting getting lube to make contact with the cartridge, can't get the "straw" in far enough.

When I attempted to use the cartridge puller, the part of the image I circled would not wrap around the cartridge - it didn't fit between pipe and cartridge.

Appreciate you mentioning the retainer clip not being all the way in.

That puller doesn’t look right.

There should be two curved ears at the end that grabs the cartridge, they sit in the two curved recesses.

Some pullers have these as an adapter, not built in.

Maybe that bottom piece can be reversed.
Or the big nut needs to be screwed back to reveal the ears.

Also, the cartridge stem might need to be rotated properly, I forget the exact orientation.

There are a million videos on youtube on removing Positemp cartridges.

Look at how the pullers look in those vids, you will see if yours is set up wrong or just the wrong style puller entirely.

Also, there are good pullers, cost approx $45.00, and $hi++y pullers, for about $15.00.
You get what you pay for!

I found a puller just like yours just now on Amazon.
Part of it is plastic, so it is likely a piece of junk, IMHO.
It costs $10.00.

You also have to partially unscrew that long bolt on the puller, so that the big collar can get down onto the cartridge.
Then you screw that skinny part of the bolt inside the handle screw of the cartridge stem.

So something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Moen-104421-...ocphy=9021426&hvtargid=pla-285993310240&psc=1

I think they sold me the wrong puller because I can't get any leverage with that one.

I did a few edits of my last post since you read it

That is the good one that I have, all metal.

The second puller is what you want. You can buy that puller at the box stores. Just be careful that you don't pull the
insides of the cartridge out. Try rotating the plastic part that has H&C on the top as you pull. If you are not comfortable doing
it you probably should call someone that has done it a few times. If you pull the guts out then your talking a lot more
work and maybe even a new faucet install.

<<You also have to partially unscrew that long bolt on the puller, so that the big collar can get down onto the cartridge. Then you screw that skinny part of the bolt inside the handle screw of the cartridge stem.

Which I did, but the bottom (?) of the puller ran flush with the pipe. Like I said, it couldn't grasp the cartridge. Wrong fit, thanks for pointing that out. Hope store allows me to return it.

It's been years, since I've had to change a cartridge. The sinks were always easier for me.

I've seen many videos where only the stem (guts) comes out. I don't have the DIY skills to deal with that.

Add more of your spray oil around the outside of the cartridge.

Be sure to twist the cartridge with those ears on the new puller, to start breaking it free.
Little twists left and right, gradually wider swings.
If you try a big twist too soon, the rubber seals can peel off inside and really jam the cartridge in there.

If the stem pulls out, call a pro, and at least you tried!