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bubbafixit · Jul 6, 2009, 09:43 AM

I am trying to do a face lift on my entire tub. Built in 1973. I bought a tub drain remover but it will not budge it.
- I saw something about a dumb bell wrench and wondered if it would give me anymore torque?
- If it is glued or soldered in, how would I determine that from on top of the tub? I do not have access under the tub.
- If the drain remover or dumb bell wrench does not work, what other options do I have?

speedball1 · Jul 6, 2009, 04:37 PM

Your tub shoe and drain,(see image) is neither glued or soldered. It's threaded brass to brass and brass don't rust. The tub removal tool,(dumb bell)(see image) fits the cross bars of the drain and you can put a wrench on it for more torque.
However, break the cross bars and you'll have a job on your hands removing it. But you say you already have a removal tool. Why won't it work?

I do not have access under the tub.

You should have a access panel behind the tub drain so the tub can be serviced. Every tub should have a service panel. If you had one of those I would suggest squirting WD-4o under the tub where the drain screws into the shoe and letting it loosen the threads. That would be my suggestion. Good luck, Tom

bubbafixit · Jul 7, 2009, 04:25 AM

I used that tool but I could not keep enough down pressure to keep it from popping out of the drain.
- The builder did not leave a plumbers closet so I would need to cut a hole through a closet back wall to get there.

- Is there a trick to using the tool other than brut force?
- If the drain is not leaking but just old, is there a way to attaché just a now flange over the top versus removing the drain that has the flange attached. My goal here is to just switch out all of the existing hardware in the tub with brushed nickel to make it current and match the new vanity.

speedball1 · Jul 7, 2009, 05:04 AM

I used that tool but I could not keep enough down pressure to keep it from popping out of the drain.

There are several tub wrenches,(see image) Isone of these yours?

- Is there a trick to using the tool other than brut force?

Cut a access panel behind the tub drain and squirt WD-4o under the tub where the drain screws into the shoe and letting it loosen the threads
That's your best shot right now.
If you have more posts on this thread please add on to it instead of starting a new one. It just makes more work for me to locate your original post and merge them. Tom

bubbafixit · Jul 7, 2009, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by bubbafixit

I am trying to do a face lift on my entire tub. Built in 1973. I bought a tub drain remover but it will not budge it.
- I saw something about a dumb bell wrench and wondered if it would give me anymore torque?
- If it is glued or soldered in, how would I determine that from on top of the tub? I do not have access under the tub.
- If the drain remover or dumb bell wrench does not work, what other options do I have?

I tried to do that but could not figure out how to do it.

What is the 2nd tool pictured in your 2nd reply called?

speedball1 · Jul 7, 2009, 06:22 AM

I tried to do that but could not figure out how to do it

You tried to do what? Did you not read, "

Cut a access panel behind the tub drain and squirt WD-4o under the tub where the drain screws into the shoe and letting it loosen the threads That's your best shot right now.

Both tools are tub drain removal tools. Lubricate the threads and try again! Good luck, Tom