Fixing any leaking Moen tub faucet requires replacing the cartridge since this is the faucet’s main valve. Moen tub faucets also have a sleeve–a piece of trim that is part of the stop tube kit, designed to protect and hide the cartridge from view. To take out the cartridge first remove the sleeve. This requires some simple tools and ten minutes of your time.
Step 1
Turn the water valve near the water heater off to shut off the home’s water supply. This is important, because once you remove the faucet handle and faucet cartridge there is nothing to stop the water from rushing out of the wall.
Step 2
Unscrew the handle’s set screw, a small screw at the base of the faucet handle, with an Allen wrench and pull the handle off the faucet base.
Step 3
Unscrew the adapter below the handle with a screwdriver and remove the adapter.
Step 4
Remove the two screws on either side of the faucet base plate, the round trim on the shower wall, with a screwdriver. Take the base plate off the shower wall.
Step 5
Pull out the limit stop, a knob on the end of the faucet sleeve, and then slide the entire faucet sleeve off the base of the faucet. This whole assembly is called the stop tube kit, because it limits the rotation of the faucet handle to prevent scalding.
Step 6
Remove the cartridge clip, a metal clip inserted in the top of the faucet body with a pair of pliers or a flat headed screwdriver.
Step 7
Pull the Moen faucet cartridge out of the faucet. The cartridge is the small cylinder-shaped part inside the faucet’s body.
Step 8
Replace the cartridge with a new one for your particular Moen faucet (each model has its own cartridge), and rebuild the faucet following these steps in reverse.
Replacing the cartridge on your Moen faucet repairs all leaks, even pesky spout dripping. Don’t be afraid to take on this easy repair project by yourself.