Moen1222 One-Handle Posi-Temp Faucet Cartridge Replacement for Moen Tub Shower and Shower Only Configurations, Brass and Plastic

First of all, I should have changed the old one at the first signs of it going bad. The white lime deposits or whatever you want to call it is what causes the problem. You will notice the black side rubber pieces, when you try to remove the old cartridge, they can get stuck in the internal slots inside as you're pulling it out. Once that happens you're going to have a very hard time getting it out. In the long run my old one snapped in half. I had to break it out in small pieces being careful not to scar up the inside of the housing.All that said, I didn't have a cartridge puller. They sell an all brass 1222 replacement cartridge claiming it will last longer. First of all the plastic housing of my old cartridge didn't fail. Those rubber inserts started to catch in the internal slots. It actually stopped turning when I tried to get out of the shower leaving me standing ice water to get it stopped. Since my old cartridge was plastic I was eventually able to break it apart. If it was the brass cartridge it would still be in there with the rubber pieces folded over making it impossible to remove. There is not enough clearance for it to come out if the rubber gets doubled over. Even with a puller. The brass cartridge sounds like a great idea. But not if it gets really stuck like mine did. You can not break it into little pieces to remove it. You'll have to buy an entire new cartridge housing. About $100Now if I wanted to use the brass cartridge you would have to change it at the very first sign of trouble. I don't know if they sell just the black side rubber pieces so you could change them. But if they don't you're going to have to buy a cheap plastic cartridge just to get them. So what did you save?I will just keep on using the plastic cartridges. Keeping an eye out for the first signs of failure. My new plastic one works as smooth as hot butter. I'll be buying a cartridge puller. And a spare plastic cartridge. I won't be waiting until I can't turn it off to swap it out. I should have changed it a year or two ago. Especially now that I see how it works and how it can fail. Plus it's a pretty easy fix. If you don't have to destroy the old cartridge to remove it.One more thing as mentioned in another review, buy some silicon lube and coat it real good when you install it. And maybe as a preventive measure, pull it out once in a while and lube it up again. 3 Phillips screws, one Allen screw and the retainer clip. Pull it out check the condition of the rubber side pieces and smear it up, and put it back in. Very simple job if you do it before it turns into a nightmare.

Fixed the valve from jamming up and only rotation one way.I highly recommend polishing the brass inside of the valve for even better performance.I used a drill mounted cone-shaped foam polisher (for poshishing car wheels) with metal polishing compound, and it both cleaned the rubber and hard water off of the brass, it polished the bass to a mirror shine. This allowed the valve to be inserted with ease and it also rotates smoother than a brand new valve now, might even extend the life.Note, my valve housing was so jammed up, I had to break the core up, piece by piece... If I would have known that the mfr. Made a puller tool for these, I would 100% have ordered it to make my life easier

As other hints suggested, I needed the puller to extract the old unit. But it was a relatively easy job, with just a little prodding. My old faucet had gotten to the point where it took 2 hands to turn on the shower. It was about 15 years old. Now I do it easily with my little finger, like butter. Wish I hadn't waited so long.

Went on Youtube and found two relevant videos on the topic from: "Check It Out !!!" and "Stephanie Vandaelle"Cartridge is about 20 years old in a building that has a lot of mineral in the water. So lots of build up and really appreciate how long it's lasted.Shower handle fell off because the rod or stem was pretty much rotted away. Unfortunately rotating it with the plastic removal tool only helps to loosen it a bit but not by much. Couldn't use Cartridge Removal Tool, the metal one, because the stem or rod fell off and you need to screw on to that to be able to pull it out.Tools:Adjustable WrenchDrill and Drill BitAny long wood screwPry barWood plank or Long Metal Rod to Brace against TileCutter to mark and make drilling easyManual Screw DriverHeatgun or Hair DryerActual work time: 12 minsLooking for my disorganized tools: 45 minsDisassembled shower handle until I could access the shower cartridge and manifold. Turned OFF water via manifold (usually counter clockwise until it stops). Apartment building here so if your water shutoff might be in a different location.Drilled bottom of cartridge, the plastic part. Easier if you mark where you'll drill with a cutter so the drill bit finds purchase otherwise it'll slip around. Make sure it's straight as possible to not damage the pipes. Make a judgment call on whatever size you want based on the wood screw you plan on using. Makes sure it's not too big. I used a random wood screw that long enough to pry off of.Used a cheap $10 heat gun on the pipes until it was warm. Used plastic tool to rotate slightly ( not completely since the top of the cartridge hits the pipes and can only be rotated 180 degrees once it's actually out) and loosen cartridge clockwise. This absolutely helped to loosen the cartridge almost right away. No struggling at all. Things would have been worse without it.Used a manual screwdriver so I could better control the force on the woodscrew. Damaged pipes are more expensive work so be patient and careful.Then used prybar on the woodscrew. Metal rod or wood plank to brace on tile ( and protect tile) and leverage prybar off that. Do it SLOWLY and CONTROLLED and do not yank agressively. Be careful not to go ham as to not damage the metal pipe. Used heat gun again when encountered resistance in pipes. Once head of cartridge is stuck and no longer embedded in the pipe and have room to turn, I switched to the Moen Plastic Removal Tool and an adjustable wrench. Didn't need to yank it out after that just did a back and forth motion mostly going clockwise.Voila! Cartridge came out easy. I am thankful to the Youtube videos for such a great idea and my humble and mighty heat gun for helping a STUCK cartridge with a BROKEN STEM so easily done in less than 15 mins.By the way, the shower handle position will be in the middle position. So you might want to move it clockwise until it closes so you don't get a burst of water from the tub faucet once you turn the water back on. I completely forgot about this and found out the hard way.Talked to a retired handyman and he said once you encounter a good deal of resistance in the shower handle, should be a good time to replace the cartridge. I think I will take his advice from here on and save myself so much trouble.

This was the part I needed, but man, it is SO hard to install, even with the install tool and the right hex (15/32nds??). If you need to replace this cartridge after a decade or so, you may as well upgrade your entire faucet while at it.

Amazingly smooth...never use the generic versions! This is the one that actually works, even though it might cost more than the cheap ones.