Hi all,
I am in the middle of a tile shower replacement project and I have run into a snag. I have completed demo on the leaking shower and I am down to the stud walls and the concrete sub-floor. The drain was damaged and has been removed. All that remains is the metal flange which I believe is lead/oakum sealed to the 2" drain line. The flange is set flush to the concrete sub-floor.

My problems is that this is a 1970' era 3rd floor condo unit with a concrete subfloor so access to the drain is through the ceiling of my neighbor below me. So, access below the drain is not really an option. How do I remove the existing drain flange and what do I use to make the cast iron drain line compatible with available 3 piece shower drains and flexible membranes? Will I need to make the penetration in the concrete floor larger so that I can tighten the bands on say a Fernco adapter? Any insight will be a great help!

Thanks,
BPR

This might be what the doctor ordered. Plumb-Rite's Wingtite. "Replace the Drain, Not the Whole Shower (http://www.plumbrite.com/)

Can you post a photo of the drain head so we can see what type of drain you have?

How do I remove the existing drain flange To remove a poured lead and oakum joint take a 3/8" drill bit and drill a few holes down past the lead and into the oakum.. Push a screwdriver under the lead ring and lever it up. Once it's free you can began to peel the lead ring out. Now pick out the oakum and you can pull the joint apart and lift the old drain up and out.
If you're building a custom tile shower you will need a liner and that takes a cast iron flange type shower drain, (see image) Check it out at, Law Supply - Drains and Drain Specialties (http://www.lawsupply.net/odds_ends/drains/)
Scroll down 6 drains to see. Use the push on feature. Sorry Bob, Wing Tite won't work on custom tile shower floors and cast iron raisers.
More questions? I'm as close as a click. Tom