Installing a new one. Here is my problem. Evidently, some 60 years ago when they plumbed this bathtub (actually, a sunken tub), it seems that something (concrete? ) got into the threaded holes to which the trip-lever assembly screws onto. So, I can only turn the screws a couple of turns at most. That's going to make cutting these two screws to the proper length a little demanding. Is that normal??

Also, it seems to me that the last one of these I worked on, the plunger on the triplever had some grease on it, I suppose to make it seal better in the down position. Is that how it should be done? The one I purchased is dry as a bone... no grease at all.

If I envision your situation correctly, what you have in the screw holes is probably tile grout. I would try removing it using a very small drill bit. Say about a 1/8" bit. Drill as close to the center as possible and then enlarge with a larger bit being careful not to drill the metal. Once you have a hole in the center you may be able to pick out the remainder. Then clean up with a tap (for cutting threads in metal). You may even be able to clean up the threads by just running a screw in.

If you have access to the other side you can replace the overflow pipe. No need to replace the tub shoe or trap just the overflow pipe.

OK. Thanks for the advice. How about the plunger at the bottom of the triplever? Should it be lubed? I'm speaking of the round "stopper" that actually blocks the flow of water.

Hi John

If the plunger mechanism you got is going into the new setup you purchased then leave it unlubricated as the manufacturer intended.

If you are trying to use the new plunger in the old mechanism, I would be surprised if it works out as the parts are not usually interchangeable with the older tub waste assemblies. However, if for some reason you can get it to work and actually hold water back then I would lubricate the plunger mechanism in this case.

Have a good day!

You are correct. It does not work. It is a new plunger in the old pipe. As I recall, the old one does not work either. The plunger seems a little small for the pipe. Oh well. At least it looks a lot nicer than nothing being there. It moves up and down just fine, but doesn't stop the flow of water.

I sometimes wonder if something was dropped in that pipe years ago and just won't let the plunger get down far enough.

Attached a pic if that helps any.

When you pulled the old plunger out was it there? If so, I would clean that up really well and then put some plumber's grease on it and reinstall it. You can take the cotter pin off the new face plate and swap it over to the old plunger mechanism if you find that the old plunger seats and seals the drain properly... ;)

Back to you...

I'll try it IF I can find it. Thanks.