Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Price Pfister - Single Push/Pull Shower Faucet Repair Help

Ok, in my master shower, the push/pull single lever Price Pfister faucet has been really hard to pull out recently. I'm guessing there is a repair kit for it, however when I pulled the cover plate off to inspect, I couldn't figure out how to get the cartridge out. HELP! I'd like to take it in to Lowes and get a replacement, but I can't figure out how to get it out! Here's some pics!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r303/mdibuduo/Shower%20Faucet/IMG_4769.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r303/mdibuduo/Shower%20Faucet/IMG_4770.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r303/mdibuduo/Shower%20Faucet/IMG_4771.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r303/mdibuduo/Shower%20Faucet/IMG_4772.jpg
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r303/mdibuduo/Shower%20Faucet/IMG_4773.jpg

BTW that's not a retaining clip in the middle, thats the handle limiter :D

Thanks for any help in advance!!! Beer 4U2

You know how most nuts are hex? Well, in your pics, you have a part of the mixer there, back in about 3/4 inch from the front?, that has 2 sides to put a wrench on. Have you tried to delimescale that joint and spray in some penetrating oil and **carefully** try to loosen that?, without causing anything to twist behind it in the wall?

!This suggestion is not based on actual knowledge. But common sense would dictate that that outer part of the mixer valve (that has the 2 flat spots on it for a wrench) had to be assembled without that on there, so they could first get something inside. That 'something' may be the cartridge. And also may keep the cartridge from pulling out of the wall when you pull on it when showering.!

I came back to add that unless there is a clip that passes through the top of that mixer valve body, then that nut end surely does have to come off. Obviously there has to be a means to keep the cartridge in the valve body so that when house water is turned on, the cartridge does not come flying out like a missile. Moen brand(mixer valves and faucets) has such a clip on top their valve bodies, that passes through the valve body directly in front of the cartridge, to hold it back in there when you pull out on the handle. That being said -what are those 2 green rectangles and that opening, that are ontop the valve body, right at that first joint that can be unscrewed? Could this be some clip system that passes through the valvebody? If not, that nut has to come off.

BTW - Never caulk/adhere on an escutcheon trim plate onto shower wall by completely caulking all the way around the plate. Leave the bottom area uncaulked, in case any water gets past the caulk on top, sothat it can get out the bottom of the plate, without backing up into the wall cavity.

You know how most nuts are hex? Well, in your pics, you have a part of the mixer there, back in about 3/4 inch from the front?, that has 2 sides to put a wrench on. Have you tried to delimescale that joint and spray in some penetrating oil and **carefully** try to loosen that?, without causing anything to twist behind it in the wall?

!This suggestion is not based on actual knowledge. But common sense would dictate that that outer part of the mixer valve (that has the 2 flat spots on it for a wrench) had to be assembled without that on there, so they could first get something inside. That 'something' may be the cartridge. And also may keep the cartridge from pulling out of the wall when you pull on it when showering.!

I came back to add that unless there is a clip that passes through the top of that mixer valve body, then that nut end surely does have to come off. Obviously there has to be a means to keep the cartridge in the valve body so that when house water is turned on, the cartridge does not come flying out like a missile. Moen brand(mixer valves and faucets) has such a clip on top their valve bodies, that passes through the valve body directly in front of the cartridge, to hold it back in there when you pull out on the handle. That being said -what are those 2 green rectangles and that opening, that are ontop the valve body, right at that first joint that can be unscrewed? Could this be some clip system that passes through the valvebody? If not, that nut has to come off.

BTW - Never caulk/adhere on an escutcheon trim plate onto shower wall by completely caulking all the way around the plate. Leave the bottom area uncaulked, in case any water gets past the caulk on top, sothat it can get out the bottom of the plate, without backing up into the wall cavity.

Thanks for the response! I see what you are saying about where to put a wrench on it, I may try that this weekend, however I have a home warranty I may just call and have them deal with this :D

Also I see what you're saying about the caulking on the plate, but this is the first time this plate has been off since we bought the house in 2003 :D So it wasn't me :D

Maybe you can watch -and post back?