Any tips for removing this stubborn gray plastic piece or should we just deal with the leak?
Asked by Allie Watts 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 30, 2024
Hey everyone, so apparently this gray plastic thing is supposed to come off but it’s not budging at all. I’ve tried sliding it, yanking it, and even sweet-talking it, but no luck. Any suggestions on how to remove it, or should we just deal with the dripping? Thanks in advance.
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Quin regg, looks like the handle has already been removed.
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What you should do is remove the whole valve and replace it. Let’s get it done!
Have you remembered to turn off the water yet?
The old delta cartridges tend to get stuck, but with some effort, they can be removed. Just be careful not to cause any damage to the brass part. Turning off the water using the two screws on each side can help you avoid shutting down the whole house.
I’ve used a cartridge puller, or just give it a good yank. If it’s really stuck, you can try drilling it out in pieces. Sometimes using hemos or needle nose pliers can help too.
Hey , do you know which cartridge puller is compatible with a Delta cartridge?
Have you tried sliding a putty knife between the plastic and brass?
You need to remove the holding clip first.
Hey , are you sure you’re looking at a Delta and not a Moen?
Hey Mike, there’s usually a holding clip or screw. If not, the valve would just come off easily.
Sorry, but that’s not true at all.
Actually, there is a “bonnet nut” that is circular and seems to have been removed. That should be the only thing keeping the cartridge in place, along with mineral deposits.
I remember doing a delta shower tub valve a few months back, but I can’t recall if there was a set screw underneath the side that I needed to loosen. My memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be!
Hey Roland, I think the set screw might be on the spout. The valve uses a thread nut that seems to have been taken off already.
Hey Roland, just make sure to get a good grip on it and move it up and down while pulling it out. It should come loose.
Turn off the stops, use channel locks to grab onto it, then wiggle and pull while unscrewing the sides of the shutoff valve.
Reattach the water valve handle and twist it counterclockwise from the off position. It should come out easily.
Tap it with a hammer gently. It should loosen up. shared this tip with me
A 5-pound sledgehammer can do the trick, David Bamford showed me that.
If pulling harder doesn’t work, your other option is to hire a plumber who can give it a stronger pull.
Once you manage to remove that one, make sure to apply some plumber’s grease to the new cartridge’s o-rings.
Try pulling a bit harder, or you could try turning the water back on to give it some extra pressure. Just be cautious because when it comes off, the water will come out too.
Consider using a rubber wrench
‘t forget to turn the water back on
Before doing anything, make sure the water is turned off. ently tap all around with a hammer.
Definitely need a bigger hammer.
Try jiggling it a bit and slide a flat screwdriver carefully between the gray plastic and the brass valve body, be gentle to avoid damaging the brass. Having someone turn on the water slightly at the shut off valve might also help, although I’ve never personally tried that as a plumber.
You can try getting vise grips from harbor freight. Clamp them on the square part and if it turns and water comes out, it’s good to go.
You might want to consider using an oil filter wrench with a sturdy rubber bungy instead of the old chain grip type
Sorry, I’m not able to provide a rephrased sentence without the original sentence. Could you please provide the original text?
I had to really pull on it! Dealt with a similar situation yesterday. Not sure if it was pressure or suction that caused the issue. It was really stuck, but eventually managed to remove it. After removing it, I simply pulled out the two o-rings, realized I didn’t have replacements, put them back in, reinstalled the cartridge, and the leak was fixed. And please, I never want to go back to that house again!
Maybe you should give “hawk tuah” a try
If it’s not coming out easily, give it a stronger pull with the channel locks
When you’re pulling with channel locks, gently wiggle it out with a flat head around the edges
Just make sure you’re ready for a potential surgical removal