Stupid tight bathroom faucet

[tranquility]

I'm trying to diy this lousy faucet that is stuck (well, tight, as if the rubber isn't moving smoothly inside the cartridge). I tried taking off the top but the ring marked in red is stuck or is one piece w the stem...so how the heck can I fit a wrench in there to loosen the nut and take out the cartridge? There must be something I'm missing. I tried to follow this YT diy video but I'm stuck (no pun intended lol).

Please help. Tia.

[3.0L]

Socket wrench?

[iminhell1]

Open the valve and try again. There can be a little suction and it can make them stubborn.
If you're replacing it, don't be afraid to get a little rough with it.


That beauty ring at the top, use an old rubber jar opener and a pipe wrench. It'll come off without marring it.

[Marmugmotleocay]

I tried to replace a Moen cartridge with no luck with the plastic nut. You would think it would be simple. I wound up destroying it and just buying another faucet.

[3.0L]

It appears that there is a nut surrounding the green area, so maybe the correct size socket wrench would help. It should fit inside the ring.

[R BMW]

Some times you just have to bite the bullet and replace it all. It's a shame as it has replaceable parts, just can't get them apart to replace them.

[Maynard]

Many of these use a specialized tool to fit inside and turn threaded parts, or something kind of like a bearing puller that screws into the threaded hole in center of the square stem. If you know the brand, find more (or better) videos.

[ToddBlack88]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Open the valve and try again. There can be a little suction and it can make them stubborn.
If you're replacing it, don't be afraid to get a little rough with it.


That beauty ring at the top, use an old rubber jar opener and a pipe wrench. It'll come off without marring it.

This.

You need to pull the chrome finishing ring off first. It’s threaded usually. Use a non marring strap wrench or wrap a rag around it and use a pipe wrench.

Thread it off. Then undo the brass nut that holds the cartridge in place. Wiggle the cartridge and pull straight up. Replace the cartridge and make sure all the old orings are out. Put some lube on the new seals before sliding the cartridge in.


Make sure you turned the water off, and open the tap to drain it

[tranquility]

So that part I highlighted in red comes off for sure? I just need to put some muscle into it?

What lube do you suggest? The video I think refers to 'silicone grease' but I wonder is there something else or the hardware store will know what I'm talking about?

Tx everyone.

[ToddBlack88]

Originally Posted by tranquility

So that part I highlighted in red comes off for sure? I just need to put some muscle into it?

What lube do you suggest? The video I think refers to 'silicone grease' but I wonder is there something else or the hardware store will know what I'm talking about?

Tx everyone.

The chrome top half circle thing? Yes..
usually it corrodes in with the water, cleaners, and soap mixture.
removing that will give you access to the cartridge nut.

You can see the threads on the outer part of the brass body in the still start of your video posted

Once you remove that, you can wiggle sthe spout back and forth and lift it off the body and lube that up also. Be carefull as some of them have orings as well.

[R BMW]

They should have a plumbing grease that you use to lube it.
Also look to see if they have a puller as it won't wiggle much.

Like I said, sometimes starting new is easier and cheaper.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

Open the valve and try again. There can be a little suction and it can make them stubborn.
If you're replacing it, don't be afraid to get a little rough with it.....

Just to be clear, we are talking about faucets, correct?

[00SH4WN]

Originally Posted by ToddBlack88

This.

You need to pull the chrome finishing ring off first. It’s threaded usually. Use a non marring strap wrench or wrap a rag around it and use a pipe wrench.

Thread it off. Then undo the brass nut that holds the cartridge in place. Wiggle the cartridge and pull straight up. Replace the cartridge and make sure all the old orings are out. Put some lube on the new seals before sliding the cartridge in.


Make sure you turned the water off, and open the tap to drain it

+1 to this...also, it may be difficult to come off if water has made it's way into that area over time. something to remove any limescale or calcification in it slightly (lime away, CLR, vinegar) should break it up so that it will come off a little easier.

[Oldgixxer]

Retired Master Plumber of 35yrs chiming in,trust me when I say just go buy a new one. They're cheap enough to throw out and go new. Unless it you have a Grohe,Toto or high end Kohler toss it

[tranquility]

How much will a whole faucet cost and rn I can't even get that ring off, so I dunno if I can do that other job LOL.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by tranquility

How much will a whole faucet cost and rn I can't even get that ring off, so I dunno if I can do that other job LOL.

That round piece should come right off if you use a pair of Model 442 12" curved-jaw Channel-Locks. Don't worry about the teeth chewing up the finish,you'll be throwing it out anyways.

Alternatively:
If you're not ham-fisted you could use a Sawzall and cut the base of the faucet right off without damaging the lavatory,the rest will fall under the lav
Have tools,will travel... however my hourly rate from South Carolina to Canada may not appeal to you

You could get a very nice Kohler single hole faucet for $200-300 from a plumbing supply house or go to Lowes/Home Depot and get a decent Moen or American Standard for half that price.

PM me if you have specific questions

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by R BMW

Some times you just have to bite the bullet and replace it all. It's a shame as it has replaceable parts, just can't get them apart to replace them.

This.

I'll always try to fix things because I like the challenge, but there comes a point where I get frustrated and just break out the torch, sawzall, sledge hammer, etc, and replace the whole thing.

[tranquility]

Tx again guys. I tried using the rubber jar opener thing, more muscle, etc, wouldn't budge...I suspect it may be one piece after all? If that's the case, how can I remove the whole thing?

Or, would it make sense to still buy some plumber's grease and a syringe and just squeeze into all the gaps so that it somehow reaches inside the cartridge? (That's probably the best case scenario, and the worst case is hiring a plumber and replacing the whole darn thing for $xxx.)

[vreihen16]

Last winter, my wife and the plumber-in-laws were struggling to remove a drain from our well-aged stainless kitchen sink. They spent two hours trying to get the nut off with no success. I suggested that they go out to the big-box store and buy a new sink, but they were stubborn.

TL;DR I took a 4" hole saw while they were out in the garage looking for other tools to try, stuck the drill bit into the center of the strainer hole, and, well, let's just say that they could take the stuck drain nut and a nice round piece of the sink bottom out to the vice where it was easier to work on it.

The sink was at least 20 years old and slumlord grade, not anything special.....

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Last winter, my wife and the plumber-in-laws were struggling to remove a drain from our well-aged stainless kitchen sink. They spent two hours trying to get the nut off with no success. I suggested that they go out to the big-box store and buy a new sink, but they were stubborn.

TL;DR I took a 4" hole saw while they were out in the garage looking for other tools to try, stuck the drill bit into the center of the strainer hole, and, well, let's just say that they could take the stuck drain nut and a nice round piece of the sink bottom out to the vice where it was easier to work on it.

The sink was at least 20 years old and slumlord grade, not anything special.....

Love it

[tranquility]

Ok guys, for anyone who was interested itt and also for any future diyers: I'm proud to say that I fixed the darn thing and it only cost me CAD11 in silicone lubricant.

The red thing I highlighted in the OP suddenly came loose, so once I unscrewed it, the brass nut was exposed, so I wrenched it off after turning off the water. The cartridge came out easily, and I disassembled it, put the lube wherever and put it back together. Not sure about/how some of you guys destroyed your faucets doing this same process lol, maybe I'm just more delicate. Anyway, tx everyone for your pointers.

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ok guys, for anyone who was interested itt and also for any future diyers: I'm proud to say that I fixed the darn thing and it only cost me CAD11 in silicone lubricant.

The red thing I highlighted in the OP suddenly came loose, so once I unscrewed it, the brass nut was exposed, so I wrenched it off after turning off the water. The cartridge came out easily, and I disassembled it, put the lube wherever and put it back together. Not sure about/how some of you guys destroyed your faucets doing this same process lol, maybe I'm just more delicate. Anyway, tx everyone for your pointers.

ITT I learned that Tranquility is a delicate person. [/Thread]