How do I get this Moen "cartridge nut" out now that it is all chewed up? I would have called it a bushing but Moen calls it a "cartridge nut." Moen sent me that metal cylinder tool to assist replacing the cartridge (Moen 1224) but I need to back that plastic cartridge nut out with the metal tool but I promptly broke the teeth off the nut and now I've got a mess on my hands. Any suggestions on how to get the nut out so I can pull the cartridge out and replace?
Thanks!
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Amazon sells the retainer nut so can replace out
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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.