Old one was a bitch to get out, new one was a bit hard to go back in (yes genuine moen part), can’t get clip back in, but new cartridge is holding - what’s my danger zone?

Hey I'm installing a moen cartridge for the first time and having trouble with getting the retainer clip back in

I lightly toothbrushed the faucet with a mix of vinegar and water and let the water run thru to make sure the cartridge would go in all the way

But it seems like I don't have space to fit in the clip

It's supposed to go thru the slit part of the valve, right?

This is the same clip that was in with the old cartridge (also moen 1222), I unfortunately didn't take pics while removing parts

Should I cut the tile above? I feel like that's a bit extreme, but I think a plumber we had before knocked out a whole block in another shower, maybe because it was like this

Thanks for any advice and Happy Holidays !

Hoping a new post brings fresh ideas. I have a 25 year old Moen positemp bathtub /shower faucet. It's been dripping for years so I finally decided to tackle it. I had waited because there's no shut off valve and I was afraid to shut off the whole house in case I screwed it up. Got my cartridge 1222 from Moen. Couldn't get the old one out so I got the pulling tool from Lowes. I got it out and it came out so hard I fell back, glad the glass door wasn't behind me.

Could not get that darn clip in. Stuffed a paper towel with vinegar in there for about 20 minutes and tried to scrub it with a little brush for straws that I have (not a wire brush) and I did turn the water back on to blast anything out for a few seconds.. Still could not get it in. I even used the tool to shove it in as far as possible. I put the old one in and it almost wouldn't go in, had to use the tool to get it in. Finally, after a wiggle with the tool it snapped into place, figuring that was the trick I tried it with the new one but NO go. I put the old one back in and at least I can turn the house water back on.

I saw a video, probably by a plumber, where they had the perfect round copper brush that they stuck in there...is that my only hope? It doesn't look gunky, but I think there MAY be a little build up around the very perimeter of the pipe in the very back. I don't know what can clean, or if that is the problem. I need 1-2 mm more. Would CLR work better than vinegar? Is paper towel ok? Do I need that stiff wire brush and does HD carry it? I'm so close!! This should have been a 15 minute job, took all afternoon including the soak, trip to Lowes and internet research. Thank you for advice!!!

I recently replaced the cartridge on my Moen faucet handle in our tub/shower and it did resolve the issue I was having. However, I could not get the retainer clip back in no matter what I did. Tried cleaning etc. So I put the faucet back together without the retainer clip. Is this ok long term or can I cause damage doing this?

First the issue was trying to pull that old thing out… now, this one goes in easily up until one point, where i cant clip the cartridge. Has someone experienced this before? Pictures pf the point where it stops are attached, and thanks in advance! 🙏🏻

Solved!

Thanks u/splathappy1

For some reason, the clips for the screws in the backer plate are right up against the valve, so I cannot pull the valve out far enough to grab the retainer clip.

1. Why would it be installed like this?

2. How do I go about getting it out without breaking it.

photo of what I'm dealing with

Trying to replace a Moen 1225 cartridge (pull/push handle, Moentrol valve). The old one comes out and goes back in flush with no problem, but the new cartridge sticks out slightly and won’t seat far enough for the retaining clip to slide in.

I’ve tried: • Cleaning out the bore and slots (no debris left) • Aligning ears at 12/6 o’clock • Generous silicone grease • Heavy pressure on the cartridge

Feels like it’s bottoming out too soon. First pic: both cartridges side by side Second pic: old cartridge that fits Third pic: new cartridge that won’t go in all the way

Is this just a stiff O-ring issue, or am I missing a trick pros use (warming the valve). Should I use a hammer? Honestly at a loss for how to push the cartridge in further. Thanks

I am trying to replace a Moen 1222 shower cartridge and it's been a bear. I've needed to hit up youtube for a lot of this and thought I was in the home stretch, but can't seem to get the retaining clip to reinsert. I was able to get it started, but it appears the bottom of the cartridge isn't seated all the way. I've also seen some past threads/video's stating that my clip is an incorrect style, but it's what I pulled off my existing shower.

I'd like confirmation before I continue to brute force this and potentially make things worse.

Images

1. The old cartridge is on the right, question 1 is, am I correct in that I'm replacing a 1222 cartridge? New is on the left.

2. is my retaining clip correct for my model or should I pick up this set at HD?

I also had to drill out the set screw in the handle, if anyone has any replacement parts queued up, I'd appreciate a lead on that as well.

Edit: I added another clip to the end of the screenshots, the new cartridge seems to wobble when on a flat surface compared to the existing unit. I’ve seen some suggestions to sand down the backside and I think that’s what I’m going to try next

First picture is it broken and the next two are before.

Any idea how I get this as out?

Wrapped a ziplock gallon bag around it while pulling so I lost nothing in the wall and so no water would get behind the wall.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hello… the issue is with my first floor Moen tub/shower single H/C pull handle that was leaking profusely down into the tub as well as behind the wall into the basement. So, I purchased a new "1225" cartridge. I thought it was going to be fairly easy, but it turned out that the cartridge wasn't budging. So, I went back to the store and purchased a "puller" to remove the stubborn cartridge, which surprisingly worked. I then installed the new one and the water stopped pouring out through the single handle. But, after turning the main house water valve back on, a steady water stream started from the faucet below, that I'm now unable to stop. The one thing that I wasn't able to reinstall, was the "retainer clip", because it broke when I forgot about it when pulling out the cartridge. Is that what's causing the "new" leak from the faucet? If not, then I’m at a loss for getting the water to stop. I hope the details helped and didn't confuse anyone. I just didn't want to overlook anything. Thanks in advance for any assistance.