Not a plumber but have some diy experience. My understanding is they typically get pulled straight out. You replace the cartridge and any o rings so I wouldn’t worry too much about damaging the plastic if you already have the replacement part.
Example: https://youtube.com/shorts/SsJna8wR_mk?si=gzC52tkVuv5PMQue
![[solved] Shower cartridge should just pull straight out?](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/7ce70db4-f2fa-4c41-a281-bb3cff63ddcb.jpeg){kind=link}
Not a plumber but have some diy experience. My understanding is they typically get pulled straight out. You replace the cartridge and any o rings so I wouldn’t worry too much about damaging the plastic if you already have the replacement part. Example: https://youtube.com/shorts/SsJna8wR_mk?si=gzC52tkVuv5PMQue