Thanks. These handles won't budge at all from the bottom using a basin wrench. I was going to try a pipe wrench on their base up top to see if that loosens them.Thats a moen faucet and it’s very common.
Grab the fat part of the chrome handle base and turn counterclockwise to remove it. It simply unscrews.
Moen makes a special wrench to remove the internal plastic cartridge retainer nut that’s recessed in the top of the valve. It’s all done from the top side.
Ok. The stem just spins freely so I wasn't sure how to 'grab' it.That doesn't come off. You have to take it apart at the top to get that part out. If your just replacing the stem
you don't want to take it loose from underneath. Take the handle and the escusion off then you can get to the
stem.
Read the last sentence of my 1st postThanks. These handles won't budge at all from the bottom using a basin wrench. I was going to try a pipe wrench on their base up top to see if that loosens them.
It’s a Moen Monticello.Yes, as twowaxhack described, unscrew the top fat part (escutcheon) to get to the valve. Sometimes it can't be rotated by hand. You may want to try getting a strap wrench or wrap a dense towel around it and use a pipe wrench to rotate it. Contact moen to get a cartridge for free along with the removal tool. If you send them a picture they may be able to tell you the valve model and provide an assembly drawing of the valve.
The entire valve is removed by unscrewing the large (1-1/4"? ) brass nut on the bottom. By the looks of things, you can get in there with a basin wrench (a cheap one will try your patience) or try one of these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Installation-and-Removal-Tool-56988/303528759
I've found the PBlaster sprayed on the nut sometimes helps or white vinegar.
Good luck
Thanks. Yes, I tried the basin wrench and no luck. I had that Ridgid in my hand and was about to buy it but thought the other wrench would work and the Ridgid stops at 1 inch. Seems that 1 1/4" brass nut on the bottom will have to be addressed whether I start from the top of the sink or not.Yes, as twowaxhack described, unscrew the top fat part (escutcheon) to get to the valve. Sometimes it can't be rotated by hand. You may want to try getting a strap wrench or wrap a dense towel around it and use a pipe wrench to rotate it. Contact moen to get a cartridge for free along with the removal tool. If you send them a picture they may be able to tell you the valve model and provide an assembly drawing of the valve.
The entire valve is removed by unscrewing the large (1-1/4"? ) brass nut on the bottom. By the looks of things, you can get in there with a basin wrench (a cheap one will try your patience) or try one of these:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...Installation-and-Removal-Tool-56988/303528759
I've found the PBlaster sprayed on the nut sometimes helps or white vinegar.
Good luck
Thank you for this. I am going to send pics to Moen and see what they say, too.It’s a Moen Monticello.
https://www.moen.com/products/Monticello/Monticello-Chrome-two-handle-low-arc-bathroom-faucet/T4570
https://assets.moen.com/shared/docs/exploded-parts-views/t4570pt.pdf
Warning: The handle base unscrews to reveal the inner parts to Moens stupid handle design……
So don’t think the handle comes apart before you unscrew the entire handle assembly from the valve.