Last night I tried to remove the plate with much difficulty due to how corroded the screws are. However I was able to get the plate off but found a lever inside that makes removal very difficult. I want to be able to run an auger to fix the drain but the path is currently obstructed

Comments

LongRoofFan t1_j8ejgin wrote on February 13, 2023 at 6:56 PM

That whole assembly comes out, should be 2 rods with a linkage in the middle and a plunger on the end. Pull it up and out.

Bearality OP t1_j8ejk18 wrote on February 13, 2023 at 6:57 PM

I pull up and out but the thing snags and doesn't want to move

bushidopirate t1_j8eow1l wrote on February 13, 2023 at 7:32 PM

I had the same problem when I replaced mine 2 months ago. I’m also the least handy person I know, so I was convinced I was doing something wrong.

It turns out, the angle you need to pull it out is kind of tricky. When I finally got the angle I needed after jostling it around for a few minutes, it came out surprisingly easily. Don’t pull too hard, but wiggle it side-to-side or up-and-down a tiny bit as you pull.

Bearality OP t1_j8eqrge wrote on February 13, 2023 at 7:44 PM

Should i be squeezing both bars together or just wiggle it?

bushidopirate t1_j8erhub wrote on February 13, 2023 at 7:49 PM

Just wiggling is fine. If you need to, you can use a pliers to squeeze that little pin that connects the two bars and remove the pin to take off the faceplate, but it shouldn’t be necessary. It might give you a bit more wiggle room.

ac1dre1gn77 t1_j8eu13n wrote on February 13, 2023 at 8:05 PM

Spray some wd-40 down the overflow and work it up and down. There must be a ring of corrosion above the plunger. It is also kind of tricky removing them, you will pull it out to a point then need to rotate it 90° then pull at an upward/outward angle.

heyman- t1_j8eqjhr wrote on February 13, 2023 at 7:43 PM

Don't make the mistake I did and try to force it like a gorilla.

Magic_Neil t1_j8gvlhd wrote on February 14, 2023 at 5:11 AM

It should come up with only a bit of effort. But if you’re like everyone else and never use the thing the stopper could be stuck. WD40 might help, but I’ve had luck with CLR too (since the mineral deposits can stick it in place. Remember to pull upwards, and make sure you’re not hitting the top of the overflow, since the linkage does tip outward.

This past summer I helped my dad remove the plumbing off a drain and we beat it out with a hammer.. thankfully the drain assembly was still good and we could replace it. Helps to have an unfinished basement sometimes :)