We have a leaking bathtub faucet and need to replace the cartridge but we cant’t figure out how to remove the casing (estachian?) around it. I don’t know the brand or model number. Everything is stuck from the hard water. We’ve already replaced the faucet but that didn’t fix it. Any help is much appreciated!! 
Can’t figure out how to remove cartridge of single handle tub faucet
bathtubcartridgefaucet
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I have a Moen bathroom sink faucet Model Number 4570. It has been in place for about 25 years. I am the original owner. The cold water faucet finally failed and I ordered new parts from Moen (the cartridge plus various adapters and also their tool to aid in removing a cartridge nut. After removing the faucet handle and the cartridge nut, I then tried to extract the cartridge using needle nosed pliers as per the Moen instructions. After being in place for 25 years, it did not want to budge (not surprising).
I then looked on the internet to see if anyone else had experienced this problem and it looks like it has been a common problem. I read all the suggestions and tried putting vinegar on it to no avail. I was impressed with one proposal from an engineer in which he suggested attacking it from the underside by disconnecting the tubing and inserting a 5/8” rod and tapping it with a hammer.
I am 82 years old (also a retired engineer) and I did not feel like getting under the sink. I then tried to attack it from the top. I fashioned a loop out of some old pipe strap I had and I was able to attach the loop to the top of the cartridge with the screw that is used to attach the top extension to the cartridge. I then fashioned a lever arrangement using a block of wood and the lever that goes on my floor jack. See the attached photos. With this arrangement, the cartridge just popped out with very little effort.
Here is a photo of the Pipe Strap loop that I attached to the top of the cartridge. This photo shows the cartridge after extraction.
This photo shows the arrangement of the lever with the cartridge still in the housing.
I added some extra silicone to the two “O” rings on the new cartridge and then inserted the cartridge and finished the job. The valve turns extremely easily – maybe I did not need the extra silicone. Moen was very helpful in sending the parts (at no charge since I was the original owner).
Was able to finally get the water shutoff a couple days back (apt. complex) and turned out to be a Price Pfister!
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Best Answer
The stem is held in place by a u-shaped piece of metal. If you scrape through enough crud, you'll find the bottom of it on the outside of the metal cylinder. Pull it out with a pair of pliers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkZad_sHQkQ about 0:50 in is what I'm talking about.