Can't Remove Moen Monticello Shower Handle

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Can't remove Moen Monticello Shower Handle

• Thread starter Scott Rogers
• Start date May 11, 2016

Scott Rogers

New Member

Messages 3 Reaction score 0 Points 1 Location New Jersey I have a Moen Monticello shower handle, approximately 15 years old, and I cannot remove the handle. I'd like to upgrade all the fixtures but am stuck on this one. I used a 3/32 hex wrench to remove the hollow screw in the handle. I also (accidentally) used a 7/64 and removed the temperature limit stop safety mechanism, which on this model consists of a small short screw and a square metallic plate that goes on the inside of the shower handle. Despite removing both of these screws, the handle will not come off. The thin inner chrome ring between the handle and the wall is loose and can be moved forward and back, but the handle feels very firmly attached. I checked online manuals but none of the ones I can find precisely match my model. Any tips as to what I am missing?

hj

Master Plumber

Messages 33,613 Reaction score 1,057 Points 113 Location Cave Creek, Arizona Website www.terrylove.com Is this a faucet with a round handle or a lever, because I have NEVER seen one with a screw and metal plate "inside" the handle. The temperature limiter is almost always BENEATH the handle and you have to remove the handle to do anything to it. The "stop tube" that moves in and out is just a trim piece and has nothing to do with removing the handle.

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CountryBumkin

Active Member

Messages 915 Reaction score 70 Points 28 Location Orlando, FL While your waiting for some expert replies, I would be spraying penetrating oil (i.e. PB Blaster or such) in/around the handle to hopefully loosen things up. Good luck.

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

Staff member Messages 29,942 Reaction score 3,483 Points 113 Location Bothell, Washington Website terrylove.com https://www.moen.com/shared/docs/exploded-parts-views/t2529pt.pdf The set screw is on the underside of the handle. Loosen that and the handle pulls off. Last edited: Mar 25, 2021

rjbphd

In the Trades

Messages 141 Reaction score 6 Points 18 Location Chicago, Illinois If the handle not properly greased when installed. .pretty much screwed.. I hacksaw it off.. replace it with regular handle unless the customer want me to order oem if it's available. Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2022

Scott Rogers

New Member

Messages 3 Reaction score 0 Points 1 Location New Jersey I'm not sure pictures actually help since the look is standard Moen Monticello style, but knock yourselves out. Below is a picture of the handle, left the 3/32 screw and wrench on for the picture, in case anyone recognizes the older model Monticello style. Also posted a picture of the safety stop which I was able to remove without taking the handle off, since the 7/64 screw was just barely accessible on the trim tube. Once the screw was off, the square plate fell out. Now the handle overturns slightly past 90 degrees on the hot side. Definitely need the handle off to put the safety stop back on though.

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

Staff member Messages 29,942 Reaction score 3,483 Points 113 Location Bothell, Washington Website terrylove.com The stop does not hold the handle in place. It's just there to limit rotation. With the set screw backed out, it's a matter of pulling hard enough to pull the handle off the cartridge stem. https://www.moen.com/shared/docs/exploded-parts-views/t2529pt.pdf Last edited: Jul 2, 2020

Scott Rogers

New Member

Messages 3 Reaction score 0 Points 1 Location New Jersey The way it's tightly attached I'm concerned if I pull any harder I'll damage the wall or valve.

Reach4

Well-Known Member

Messages 42,117 Reaction score 5,188 Points 113 Location IL

Scott Rogers said: The way it's tightly attached I'm concerned if I pull any harder I'll damage the wall or valve. Click to expand...

Can you pry? That way, the force would be against other parts of the valve rather than against the wall.

CountryBumkin

Active Member

Messages 915 Reaction score 70 Points 28 Location Orlando, FL Maybe use a small 4"grinder (or dremel) to cut a notch in handle then split. You can still buy a replacement handle.

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

Staff member Messages 29,942 Reaction score 3,483 Points 113 Location Bothell, Washington Website terrylove.com You can replace the cartridge while you are at it. You will be looking at new trim too it looks like. I'm doing a Moen trim replacement this morning. That and a new tub spout.

Widgit Maker

Member

Messages 173 Reaction score 22 Points 18 Location Alexandria, Virginia Take that set screw completely out, just in case. M

mhs1234

New Member

Messages 1 Reaction score 0 Points 0 Location NH I was able to remove the set screw using a star screw bit (it was stripped) Tried everything suggested here and on other web sites (vinegar, baking soda, etc) to remove the handle but nothing worked. It was as if the handle was glued on - wouldn't budge So what I ended up doing was using a multi-tool with a metal blade and cut the nose off the Monticello handle so I could get to the screw that held it on to the cartridge. Unscrewed that and all was good.

Attachments

• Monticello Handle.png 229.5 KB · Views: 773

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jonathankass

New Member

Messages 1 Reaction score 0 Points 1 Location Southern California Regarding getting a moen monticello style handle off a moentrol (1225) valve to replace the valve (or the whole assembly): This was a super helpful thread so just adding my own experience with the same handle. After hours of trying to remove it 'the right way' (wd40, liquid wrench, drilling out the set screw), I followed the advice of mhs1234 above, and hacksawed off the handle. That exposed a screw which I then spent alot of time trying to turn before giving up and finally hacksawing just behind the handle frame (after first breaking the handle itself to see if that was the issue). At that point it became clear no effort on the front of the handle was going to help - what I eventually realized was a metal extender, fully corroded, was between the handle and the valve - and the valve was a good 2 inches from the handle, so no wd 40 / lube / etc. was getting near where the screw was actually frozen into the valve. The good news was that because there was an extender, I hadn't damaged the valve itself - but even with locking pliers and more wd40, couldn't turn that screw (it eventually broke off), but fortunately the valve came out relatively easily with a little up and down motion. So in my case, lesson learned - with this handle, odds are you're going to eventually cut behind the handle, may as well do it up front and save the hours and frustration of trying to get it off from the front. Frankly having gotten that handle apart, I'm still not sure how it was ever going to come off just by removing the set screw, it seemed it had become effectively welded to the inner parts. Posting some pics of the steps, hope this is helpful to the next person looking for how to make this happen. 1) original in place handle 2) 'nose' of handle cut off as suggested above, revealing screw (handle body still in place) 3) cut handle body off (metal snips and crow bar to split it), revealing the handle attachment screwed onto the valve 4) long extension screw (extender already cutoff), showing the distance from the handle to where that screw was actually frozen, which never was going to be fixed by applying anything at the handle itself.

Attachments

• 20241019_174730.jpg 65.2 KB · Views: 575
• 20241019_162450.jpg 97.7 KB · Views: 539
• 20241019_161850.jpg 89.3 KB · Views: 693
• 20241019_080953.jpg 75.4 KB · Views: 866

M

MsFixIt16

New Member

Messages 1 Reaction score 0 Points 1 Location Quebec, Canada

jonathankass said: Regarding getting a moen monticello style handle off a moentrol (1225) valve to replace the valve (or the whole assembly): This was a super helpful thread so just adding my own experience with the same handle. After hours of trying to remove it 'the right way' (wd40, liquid wrench, drilling out the set screw), I followed the advice of mhs1234 above, and hacksawed off the handle. That exposed a screw which I then spent alot of time trying to turn before giving up and finally hacksawing just behind the handle frame (after first breaking the handle itself to see if that was the issue). At that point it became clear no effort on the front of the handle was going to help - what I eventually realized was a metal extender, fully corroded, was between the handle and the valve - and the valve was a good 2 inches from the handle, so no wd 40 / lube / etc. was getting near where the screw was actually frozen into the valve. The good news was that because there was an extender, I hadn't damaged the valve itself - but even with locking pliers and more wd40, couldn't turn that screw (it eventually broke off), but fortunately the valve came out relatively easily with a little up and down motion. So in my case, lesson learned - with this handle, odds are you're going to eventually cut behind the handle, may as well do it up front and save the hours and frustration of trying to get it off from the front. Frankly having gotten that handle apart, I'm still not sure how it was ever going to come off just by removing the set screw, it seemed it had become effectively welded to the inner parts. Posting some pics of the steps, hope this is helpful to the next person looking for how to make this happen. 1) original in place handle 2) 'nose' of handle cut off as suggested above, revealing screw (handle body still in place) 3) cut handle body off (metal snips and crow bar to split it), revealing the handle attachment screwed onto the valve 4) long extension screw (extender already cutoff), showing the distance from the handle to where that screw was actually frozen, which never was going to be fixed by applying anything at the handle itself. Click to expand...

I wish I had found this post two weeks ago! I was in the same situation and ended up sawing off the handle as well. My Monticello shower/tub faucet (Moentrol, not posi-temp) was manufactured prior to April 2003 and the handle adapter was metal as well. Moen were the ones to tell me to saw it off and they sent me the replacements I would need. The new handle and adapter they sent me is the model 95612. I have replaced the old 1225 cartridge with the new one they sent as well however when I attach the new handle hub adapter (the plastic piece) it opens the valve and water runs out from the tub spout. No handle and adapter? Valve shuts off no problem. As soon as I tighten the screw for the black plastic handle adapter, it pulls the cartridge forward, opening the valve. So I was curious as to what handle/adapter you were able to use as a replacement for the handle you had to cut off? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as I'm ready to chuck the whole bloody thing out the window. Thank in advance! You must log in or register to reply here.

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