[omielo]

Hello,

I am trying to replace a Moen 1423 balancing spool. I used a force driver with a large bit to remove the brass cap that was stuck.
Unfortunately the brass cap disconnected from the silver core and it is stuck inside the valve.
I have tried to use a pick to grab a hole of the core and pull on it but I could not extract it.
Someone might have faced the same problem in the past.
One way to solve it seems to be an easy out.
Any recommendation on what to use ?

Thanks a lot,
Oliver.

 

[Nealtw]

 

[omielo]

Thanks a lot for replying.
I had found this video but it does not explain my main concern which is how to extract the balancing spool.
The video jumps after it is extracted.

But again I really appreciate it.

 

[Nealtw]

Thanks a lot for replying.
I had found this video but it does not explain my main concern which is how to extract the balancing spool.
The video jumps after it is extracted.

But again I really appreciate it.

Can you drill it and put a screw in it so you can pull on it.

 

[SPS-1]

The title of your thread may be the answer. Why not an easy-out screw extractor ?

Looks like there is a hole in the center of the spool. Possibly would damage the spool, but gotta figure it needs replacing anyways.

.

 

[omielo]

The title of your thread may be the answer. Why not an easy-out screw extractor ?

Looks like there is a hole in the center of the spool. Possibly would damage the spool, but gotta figure it needs replacing anyways.

.

Yes exactly. I am just wondering what to use so tried to reach out this community to be advised on that by one that might have done the job before.
Those moentrol valve by Moen have equipped a lot of houses apparently and mine is the age of my house (22 years old). I am sure tons of people faced the same problem where this moen 1423 balancing spool is stuck inside due to calcite.
I need to find a way to be able to rotate the "core" stuck in the valve at least initially to then being able to slowly extract it. It has three 'O rings' so three contact point increasing the difficulty to move it.
I tried to fill the cavity with CLR but I am not sure it really helps because the liquid does not reach outside the core much where the adhesion of each ring is.
I am not sure what I could put in the hole you mention to get traction on it and try to give it a rotation on its axle.

 

[SPS-1]

But did you try a screw extractor ? Should at least break it free.

 

[hkstroud]

Not sure what stage you are at but I would offer the following comments.


First the impact screwdriver was not the proper tool for unscrewing the pressure balancing spool. The impact screwdriver is a great tool but only for steel screws. The brass threads of the end of the pressure balancing spool were to soft. Each time he struct the screwdriver he rotated it slightly but he also damaged the brass threads. Making further rotation more difficult.
A better tool would have been the largest flat blade screwdriver tip that would fit in the slot, in a socket on the end of a speed handle. The speed handle gives you the ability to keep downward pressure on the tip in the slot and at the same time the leverage to rotate the tip.


If you are at the stage of removing the balancing spool cartridge, note that at 4:27 of the video he states that he scared up the cartridge using a coat hanger (presumably in one of the holes in the side of the cylinder) to remove it.



I would attempt to pull the spool out using an Allen wrench in one of the holes in the side rather than a coat hanger. You may have to trim the short leg to get it into the opening.


If that failed, I would get a set of snap ring pliers with interchangeable tips. With the interchangeable tips you should be able to get a tip into opposing holes in the walls of the spool and have the grip to pull the spool out. If necessary you could fabricate your own tips from small Allen wrenches to reach well into the cylinder.


Most snap ring pliers can be set to function in the compression or the expansion mode.

 

[omielo]

Not sure what stage you are at but I would offer the following comments.
I would attempt to pull the spool out using an Allen wrench in one of the holes in the side rather than a coat hanger. You may have to trim the short leg to get it into the opening.

If that failed, I would get a set of snap ring pliers with interchangeable tips. With the interchangeable tips you should be able to get a tip into opposing holes in the walls of the spool and have the grip to pull the spool out. If necessary you could fabricate your own tips from small Allen wrenches to reach well into the cylinder.

Most snap ring pliers can be set to function in the compression or the expansion mode.

I have tried with an Allen wrench but I could not remove it. It is hardly stuck and I think rotation on it is what is needed first.

I will buy snap ring pliers as you suggested and will try to set on them two Allen keys.
Thank you very much for your idea !
By the way I keep looking online and found this video where the guy uses exactly that. Are you the inventor of this tool ?

 

[hkstroud]

Are you the inventor of this tool ?

I wish I were. Of course the inventor must not have made much money from it. He doesn't tell you where to purchase it. Probably spent a lot of money getting a patent and then defending it. Then a set of snap ring pliers and the proper tips would do the same thing.


Time for an update from you . I agree the problem is most likely that the "O" rings have swollen and gotten stuck after not being moved all these years.