Why Delta Shower Cartridge Won’t Go In [Reasons + Solutions]

The Delta shower cartridge won’t go in due to a lack of lubrication on the cartridge body or the O rings. Over time the Delta shower may have issues for which you need repairments or sometimes maybe go through the replacement process. 

But the problem arises when you try to put the Delta shower cartridge back in its place, but it won’t go in. 

Because of the improper line-up or the unmatched cartridge in the previous one, the Delta shower cartridge remains disengaged while going back in. 

Resolving the issue is very simple as long as you follow our guide without missing any. 

Here you are going to find all the effective ways relating to this. So, let’s get started. 

Why Delta Shower Cartridge Won’t Go In [Reasons + Solutions]

Grasp all the efficient ways from here as well as the reasons if your Delta shower cartridge won’t go in. Keep scrolling till the end. 

Note: You can also read our guide on why the Delta shower cartridge is stuck and how to fix it.

1. Lack Of Lubrication

After taking out the Delta shower cartridge when it was faulty, sometimes the cartridge won’t go in due to lack of lubrication after fixing the issue. 

The same problem arises with some new shower cartridges when you replace them. Once you clean up and well-grease the cartridge, hopefully, it’ll only take you some minutes to do this job. 

That kind of grease applied in shower faucets is known as plumber’s silicone grease. It is a Vaseline-like product, very effective for lubricating purposes. 

So, when the Delta shower cartridge won’t go in all the way, grease out the cartridge. 

How To Lubricate Delta Shower Faucet Cartridge

• Take your Delta shower cartridge and clean it with a paper towel. Now grease up all the way around the cartridge to lubricate it. Grease up with the plumber’s silicone grease on the collar top or on the O rings properly.
• Clean the brass housing also. Damp a soft cloth with hot water and apply any type of foaming cleanser to the brass surface. Wipe it down with the cloth. Clean the internal parts with foam and a soft-bristled brush. Rinse it off. Ensure you don’t damage the brass body. 
• Clean out the holes at the back and then try to put the cartridge back. Furthermore, make sure there is no part of the old valve that did not come out with the rest of it when you have replaced the old one with a new one. 

2. Improper Line-Up

At times, the Delta shower cartridge won’t go back in due to a lack of perfect lining up the cartridge into the valve. 

The issue arises when you try to put the cartridge back either after repairing or replacing it. 

This problem considers the cartridge serves a specific purpose, so you have to figure out the proper way of putting it back without breaking it or the other parts of the valve. 

Each shower cartridge will have specific installation instructions. So, follow the directions laid out in your owner’s manual. 

To assist you, here are the steps for placing the cartridge in proper lining up. 

Solutions:

• When your Delta shower cartridge won’t go in, you have to ensure that you put the cartridge in the correct direction. So, first, to install the cartridge, make sure it is positioned correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• To install the cartridge with the proper line-up, look for an H which stands for hot. While installing, make sure that that’s on the hot side. Usually, it’s on the left side, but it can be different on some. Line up the H on the hot side. 
• Then line up the keys that look like little arrows with the keyways. Now apply some pressure until that seat is in, making sure the marks in the cartridge line up with the slots on the valve. 
• When the cartridge is inserted properly, it should have a snug fit screw on the bonnet nut, and tighten it down with channel lock pliers.

3. Unmatched Cartridge

Occasionally, the issue that we are discussing happens with a new cartridge when you try to install it back after replacing it. This is the very last reason for the problem. 

The New Delta shower cartridge won’t go in if you have replaced the old Delta cartridge with a different model. It is the same for the whole cartridge replacing or for only a part of it. 

Due to it, the cartridge can’t help but remain inoperative while putting it back in.

Solutions:

• So, prior to purchasing a new Delta shower cartridge, check the model number on it. Ensure you choose a similar Delta shower cartridge to the one that you had before. 

• When replacing the parts with the bad cartridge, check you are choosing the part with the correct measurement of your old one. Better not to replace bits or pieces. Replace the whole cartridge to avoid the issue. 

How Do I Adjust The Hot Water On My Delta Shower

Alright, here we’re going to describe how to adjust the hot water in the Delta shower in detail. 

This is a very easy process to be done. Just check out this section as follows. 

• There is a little hole slot on the inside of the handle of the Delta shower. The easiest way to get hot water from the shower is to first locate the hole. Then take the Allen wrench that usually comes with the valve. 

• Now all you have to do is just feel around in there until it locks in, and you see it just going in about a quarter of an inch. Turn it well.

There’s a little set screw in there that the Allen wrench is in opposition to, and once the set screw is gone, the valve will expose itself. 

• These Delta valves have mechanical devices with hash marks. The hotter side is marked on the left, and the colder side is marked on the right.

Now you actually have to pull out and turn to the left for maximum hot water. You can adjust the hot water level now. 

FAQs:

Summing Up

That’s a wrap! To sum up everything in the article, we hope that you will get our article informative and useful enough to while resolving the Delta shower cartridge won’t go into the issue. 

This is not a matter to worry about as solving the issue is as easy enough as we have described earlier. 

If you need anything to know more, inform us through your comments. Thank you so much for visiting our webpage.

Note: You can also read how to fix no hot water after replacing the shower cartridge.