How to Remove & Replace a Moen Cup Seal and Diverter

Moen’s cup-seal diverter, sometimes referred to as a gate diverter, serves the dual purpose of directing water to the bathtub and, when the diverter is actuated, routing the water to the showerhead. Within the assembly is a cup seal designed to prevent water from exiting the tub spout when the diverter is operated. It is for this reason that a leak from the tub spout when the shower is in use is attributed to a worn seal. The seal and diverter are within a single assembly and cannot be repaired. Replacing the assembly, however, is a straightforward job.

Channel-type pliers
Wire brush
Plumber’s tape
Masking tape

Instructions

- 1
  Grasp the base of the diverter assembly with channel pliers.
- 2
  Rotate the diverter assembly in a counterclockwise direction until it detaches from the water supply pipe.
- 3
  Remove any old plumber’s tape from the threaded tip of the water supply pipe by scrubbing the tip with a wire brush.
- 4
  Wrap the threaded tip of the water supply pipe with new plumber’s tape.
- 5
  Position the new diverter assembly onto the tip of the water supply pipe. Rotate the assembly in a counterclockwise direction by hand to ensure that the threads of the pipe align with the threads inside the assembly.
- 6
  Wrap the jaws of the pliers with masking tape to avoid scratching the finish of the new diverter assembly.
- 7
  Turn the diverter in a clockwise direction with the pliers until the back of the diverter rests flush against the shower wall.

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