Cartrage wont come out - Moen & Replacement Cartridge

I had the same problem due to mineral deposits and age of cartridge. The only solution, unfortunately, was to replace the entire handle apparatus. Although Moen sells a puller tool that is supposed to extract the cartridge, it only manages to pull out the inner stem, leaving the outer sleeve of the cartridge stuck inside. I know that people have used a 12mm tap to thread the cartridge and then use a 3" or longer hardened steel bolt with washers or sockets to pry out the sleeve, but you run the risk of damaging the pipes in the process. The quickest, albeit more costly, solution is to replace the handle apparatus altogether, hopefully with one not of Moen's design. This problem seems to be a constant with Moen cartridge replacements. I had the same problem due to mineral deposits and age of cartridge. The only solution, unfortunately, was to replace the entire handle apparatus. Although Moen sells a puller tool that is supposed to extract the cartridge, it only manages to pull out the inner stem, leaving the outer sleeve of the cartridge stuck inside. I know that people have used a 12mm tap to thread the cartridge and then use a 3" or longer hardened steel bolt with washers or sockets to pry out the sleeve, but you run the risk of damaging the pipes in the process. The quickest, albeit more costly, solution is to replace the handle apparatus altogether, hopefully with one not of Moen's design. This problem seems to be a constant with Moen cartridge replacements.