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I have a Moen bathroom sink faucet Model Number 4570. It has been in place for about 25 years. I am the original owner. The cold water faucet finally failed and I ordered new parts from Moen (the cartridge plus various adapters and also their tool to aid in removing a cartridge nut. After removing the faucet handle and the cartridge nut, I then tried to extract the cartridge using needle nosed pliers as per the Moen instructions. After being in place for 25 years, it did not want to budge (not surprising).
I then looked on the internet to see if anyone else had experienced this problem and it looks like it has been a common problem. I read all the suggestions and tried putting vinegar on it to no avail. I was impressed with one proposal from an engineer in which he suggested attacking it from the underside by disconnecting the tubing and inserting a 5/8” rod and tapping it with a hammer.
I am 82 years old (also a retired engineer) and I did not feel like getting under the sink. I then tried to attack it from the top. I fashioned a loop out of some old pipe strap I had and I was able to attach the loop to the top of the cartridge with the screw that is used to attach the top extension to the cartridge. I then fashioned a lever arrangement using a block of wood and the lever that goes on my floor jack. See the attached photos. With this arrangement, the cartridge just popped out with very little effort.
Here is a photo of the Pipe Strap loop that I attached to the top of the cartridge. This photo shows the cartridge after extraction.
This photo shows the arrangement of the lever with the cartridge still in the housing.
I added some extra silicone to the two “O” rings on the new cartridge and then inserted the cartridge and finished the job. The valve turns extremely easily – maybe I did not need the extra silicone. Moen was very helpful in sending the parts (at no charge since I was the original owner).
There is a cartridge removal tool you can use, I have never failed to get a cartridge out when resorting to it:
You can often borrow or rent this tool from a reputable plumbing shop (note importance of "plumbing shop", don't even waste your time at the big-box stores). There are other tools you will see, but they do not work as well as the one pictured.
A small flat screwdriver tapped between the alignment tab and the body of the stem will break the set on the o-ring and push it up slightly. Use a small hammer to tap. The tab is located on the side and is approximately 1/8" wide. I have been using this technique for 40 years. It works on Delta stems too.
This looks like a 1224 cartridge. Moen makes a cartridge puller sold separately where you'd buy the new cartridge. Before buying one try getting a large adjustable wrench 10" or an open end wrench and fit it over the two flat surfaces at the base of the cartridge and try turning it to break the seal between the cartridge and the valve base. They can be corroded together and difficult to separate. then try pulling up on the screw.