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The very popular general plumbing, toilets, sinks, faucets, pump problems, questions and answers discussion Forum
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
I have a moentrol shower body with a balancing spool that only seems to act up with no water or no NOT water from the shower head in very COLD weather (TEENS). Shower body is circa 1993 and this has NEVER happened until this year. Doubt frozen pipes as when the water does finally flow, if I turn it off, it happens again as soon as I try to turn it back on.
I called MOEN and they immediately pointed to the balancing spool.
Tried to replace the spool but I cannot get the inner hande off of the cartridge stem (the screw WAS removed)
Situation seems odd and any suggestions are appreciated.
New to this forum....thanks
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Author:
hj
Pull harder. Sometimes it get "frozen" onto the stem, especially if it is the older metal one.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
Not sure what you mean by inner handle, but moen valves are pretty easy to work on. If the part is corroded a bit you may need to pull it off with a little brute strength. Can you post a picture to the site?
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
inner handle?meontrol has a single handle,sometimes with a handle lug.The pretty color handle comes off with a set screw on the handle just behind the level.then you have the stem or a handle lug.the pot metal ones they used to provide never got the grease put on that was shipped in the package with the trim.Pull it as far forward as it will come.then grab it at 3 and 9 o clock,with a pair of pliers and gently wiggle and pull.Do you have a new 1225b to install,new lug?I suggest both be at hand before proceeding with more force.
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
LemonPlumber, having the 1225 available is a good idea so if/when I trash the cartridge when I pull the handle off I can replace it. As far as the insulation goes, I personally observed all phases of the construction/ remodeling of this bathroom and all pipes are insulated as are the walls with whatever the code was back in 1993 
Nothing has changed with the plumbing since it was done in '93 so I don't know why it would freeze NOW...or is it possible that the balancing spool is more likely to act up in this kind of weather and that is what is causing all my problems?? I really don't know...I wish it WAS the balancer and not freezing...
Oh yes and I would very much like to post a photo, how do I do that??
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
photo bucket will give you a free account to upload to forums.and if the stool is cold enough to contract 1/100th of an inch it can lock it!
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
Thanks for the response.
What is the "stool"?
So you're saying the balancer can be "frozen" but not the pipes?? And replacing the balancer should remedy this??
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
here is the photo....
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
Sorry spool,the balancer will be found left and low of the cold inlet,after the plate is removed.as said pot metal.The brass stem is flatted on the top and bottom so the cicr. edges is where it is easiest to re-leave corrosive tension.with the handle hole at the 6 o clock try wiggling left to right while pulling out ward.I have never broken off the stem of the 1225 so wiggle hard and pull harder.
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
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Author:
Shoemaker2 (MA)
I have freed them up by hitting with a hammer but that may not help in your case. Get in touch with Moen, tell them you are the original owner, and they will send you all the parts you can use.
Greatest warranty people I have ever dealt with. I put part from my truck into peoples faucets all the time and Moen sends replacements to my address.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
Thanks to all for very useful info. I'll try to tackle this in a day or so and I'll post my results.
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Author:
hj
A conventional handle puller will remove it without damaging the stem or the adapter.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
I tried all I can....wiggling, rocking, pulling VERY hard all to no avail. HJ mentions a handle puller. I'll pick one of these up. I have never used one before. It should work on this ??
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
Yes ,another great idea from HJ.
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
Ok...so I bought a handle puller. Now this issue is that the threads of the male part of the puller are MUCH larger than the retaining screw threads of the shower body handle (See photo above). Do they make these things with smaller threads???
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
all that part of your puller is doing is acting as a stud for pulling.you no not want to tear up the threads unless the cart will be replaced. so put a screw that fits in the threads but leave it out so as torque is created by the puller the handle lug has room to move forward.after it starts moving either back the screw out more or try manual removal.mine are not threaded on the center just pins.You bought a handle puller, not a cartridge puller !!!!right[www.plumbingsupply.com]
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
Yes, yes I get the idea. Your input is VERY much appreciated!
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Author:
MatthewS (NY)
WOW, tougher than I ever expected. I tried the handle puller as suggested. The pot metal part is only open in the back of it less than 2/3 around so it is very difficult to get a good grasp on it. What grasp I was able to get...the darn thing would not budge!!! I'll continue to work on it. Nothing is ever easy.....
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Author:
dagoplumber (CA)
Hey this is just a thought, but did you remove the retaining clip that holds that cartridge in place? That way as you are trying to get that adapter off you will most likely pull the cartridge out and then you can throw the whole mess in the trash and install your new ones that you already have sitting there.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
LemonPlumber (FL)
no Italian I know is dumb enough to try to pull the cart before the handle lug!!!capesea?My father in law would be beating you with a flat fish.
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Good Luck. Insulate your hot piping, although costly, it will pay you back every day.
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