I have a Moen shower control, about 20 years old, no model number evident. The flow, both hot and cold, seems to have gradually diminished. The handle freely moves to both extremes as well as off-on. I tried to remove the cartridge to look for a clog, but couldn't figure out how. I was able to remove a U-shaped washer that looked like it should be holding the cartridge in place, but it still wouldn't budge. Any suggestions for how to proceed?

Thanks,
Dennis

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dclynch

I have a Moen shower control, about 20 years old, no model number evident. The flow, both hot and cold, seems to have gradually diminished. The handle freely moves to both extremes as well as off-on. I tried to remove the cartridge to look for a clog, but couldn't figure out how. I was able to remove a U-shaped washer that looked like it should be holding the cartridge in place, but it still wouldn't budge. Any suggestions for how to proceed?
Thanks,
Dennis

---

Hi Dennis,

Your in luck. My company installed nothing but Moen valves in their new construction. First turn off the water under the sink, then pry off the metal plate directly on top of the handle. You will find a screw underneath, remove that and pull out and up at the samre time on the handle. Work it around a bit and it should come free. You will see a brass clip holding in the cartridge. Before you pull that clip, PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION AS TO HOW THE CARTRIDGE AND THE CLIP ARE POSITIONED IN THE VALVE BODY, yOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INSTALL IT THE SAME WAY. Pull the clip and take the white nylon tool that came with the new cartridge and try to break the cartridge free. If you can turn the cartridge pull up on the stem to remove the cartridge. For those'hard to remove cartridges' Moen makes a cartridge puller that can be purchased at your local plumbing supply house. Don't forget to coat the new cartridge with the silicon lube that came with the new cartridge. Never use grease or oil on neoprene "O" rings. Now just put everything back the opposite way you took it apart. I wish I could send drawings over this link but I can't. This is the best I can do. Just follow those directions and you ought to be just fine. Good luck. TOM

Thanks for the help. I now have a new cartridge in place!