Exactly what I needed and it came the next day!

Exactly what I needed and it came the next day!  Read Less

I have no experience with changing out these things, this was my first time. I'm not a plumber and this is just what I did, not...  Read More

I have no experience with changing out these things, this was my first time. I'm not a plumber and this is just what I did, not advise.I used a big crescent wrench, Philips/Flathead(both) screwdriver, brass brush, putty knife or scraper, Teflon tape, plumbers 90% silicone grease, CLR, gorilla caulk, and a new handle and temp adjuster for the mixet cartridge. Depending on what you have and how cheap you want to go this could as as much as $45 if you have none of the stuff. I'd also say the only two things I felt I had to have was the teflon tape and grease. The crescent wrench could of been done with pliers, channel locks, or any other tool that would latch on.Removal was pretty easy. I turned off the water to the house, opened both hot and cold lines downstairs then did the same upstairs to allow air in the line and all the water to drain out. I used the philips screwdriver to remove the handle, used it to remove the screw in the temp handle, then my back plate also had a screw as well. Once that was off I used the flathead screwdriver to scrape some soap and build up off the mixet cartridge cover so the wrench could get a good grip. Used the crescent wrench to remove the mixet cartridge cover, I would say take note of where the cartridge says up when you remove it or where the groves are in the back so you know to put the new one in the same way or your hot/cold might be reversed. I threw the back plate in some CLR to soak and if you are keeping the handle and temp adjusters I would say it's not a bad idea to get those cleaned up as well. Since I was going to be creating a 50/50 CLR/Water mixture I tossed in the shower head and tub spout as well. Both for me required no tools and just screwed right off with my hand.Next I used a brass brush to remove all the plumber's/teflon tape on the pipe threads and used the scraper to remove any caulk you'll need to redo. Then I wrapped the pipe threads in new teflon tape. To install he new mixet cartridge I first rubbed the plumbers silicone grease on the rubber washer and inserted it in to the pipe in my shower. I was lost for a few minutes trying to figure out the washers and the parts come in a bag with no instructions. Then after looking online I confirmed how the two metal and one plastic washer need to be installed, see the picture. I put them in the mixet cover and then put it over the installed mixet cartridge. Screwed it down until it was tight but still allowed for the tamp handle to move relatively easily. At this point I turned the water back on and confirmed nothing was leaking. I also put the temp handle on but didn't attach it and confirmed the hot/cold side weren't backwards. Washed off the CLR and put the backplane and screwed it in place. Put the temp handle on and screwed it on with the little dimple in the hole on the top of the mixet cartridge. Then screwed on the water volume handle. Last I put a bead of the gorilla caulk around the backplate to seal it up tight. 30 minutes later everything works good as new.  Read Less