[Mabaud]

Our house was built in 1993 with a toe touch tub drain. It is corroded and from looking at questions here the "crossbar" is gone. We need to replace the whole thing.

[speedball1]

Which stopper is yours? Let me know, Tom

[Mabaud]

I believe it is either 1 or 2. It had a flat chrome top. My husband says it screwed into the crossbar. I tried to find a way to attach a picture of the drain but couldn't figure out how to do it! We threw away the pop up or I would have tried to send a pic of that too. Thanks for your help!

Which stopper is yours? Let me know, Tom

I believe it is 1 or 2, it had a flat, chrome top. My husband said it attached with a screw to the crossbar. I tried to send a picture of the drain but can't figure out how to do it! The drain piece itself we threw away a long time ago. Thanks for your help!

[speedball1]

The stopper threads into the drain. The crossbar in the drain has nothing to do with it,
Take a large pair of Channel-Loc pliers and turn it out counterclockwise. You may now install a new stopper. Good luck Tom

[Mabaud]

The stopper threads into the drain. The crossbar in the drain has nothing to do with it,
Take a large pair of Channel-Loc pliers and turn it out counterclockwise. You may now install a new stopper. Good luck Tom

So when you unscrew it out, you are removing the entire unit, including the chrome ring at the top that's in the picture? Then we would be replacing the whole thing? Are there different sizes?

[speedball1]

So when you unscrew it out, you are removing the entire unit,

No!
The stopper threads into the drain lip. Simply unscrew the stopper and replace with the stopper of your choice. Cheers, Tom

[Mabaud]

No!
The stopper threads into the drain lip. Simply unscrew the stopper and replace with the stopper of your choice. Cheers, Tom

Hi again Tom,
I'm not sure you know exactly the drain we have. I've sent another pic, you will see that the chrome flange/lip over the top of the tub actually extends down into the drain maybe 1-2 inches or so, this is all one piece. Then right below there is a white plastic area that has threading in it. Can't see what I would be removing fron the drain. Sorry to be such a problem! Mary Ann

[Mabaud]

Hi again Tom,
I'm not sure you know exactly the drain we have. I've sent another pic, you will see that the chrome flange/lip over the top of the tub actually extends down into the drain maybe 1-2 inches or so, this is all one piece. Then right below there is a white plastic area that has threading in it. Can't see what I would be removing fron the drain. Sorry to be such a problem!! Mary Ann

In looking at some stuff online, it seems to me we have to remove the entire strainer body and replace that then a new toe touch system. Does this seem right to you?

[ma0641]

Biggest problem you face is not bring able to thread the new drain into the tub fitting. I have had success in using a lift type drain as a retrofit. You can buy a drain set that will fit into the old toe touch hole. Sand the old drain top, sand the bottom of the lift type, remove the rubber seal and apply a bead of epoxy to both surfaces. Drop the new cover down on the old one, wait 20 minutes and have a nice bath! Just did one last week in converting a gold drain to a brushed nickel one.w

[speedball1]

Will that white piece pop up? Let me know, Tom

[Mabaud]

Will that white piece pop up? Let me know, Tom

Nothing moves in the drain, it is pretty solid.

[speedball1]

Here's a tub shoe, (see image) This is underneath the drain and whatever stopper threads into it, If nothing lifts how did you ever drain the tub? I'm confused here. If the stopper t]threads into the tub shoe what's stopping you from simply unthreading it? Back to you, Tom

[Mabaud]

Here's a tub shoe, (see image) This is underneath the drain and whatever stopper threads into it, If nothing lifts up how did you ever drain the tub? I'm confused here. If the stopper t]threads into the tub shoe what's stopping you from simply unthreading it? Back to you, Tom

Ok, I see how it can be unscrewed. But, the crossbar that is being gripped in the picture is gone in ours so what tool would we use to unscrew the thing?

[speedball1]

You keep referring to the cross bar when the stopper threads into the drain lip that has the cross bar. This is the fitting your stopper screws into. The drain with the crossbar should be left alone. It has threads that the stopper screws into, Only the stopper that screws into it should be your concern. There's only one way to remove your stopper and that's to put a pair of pliers on the stopper and turn it out counterclockwise. Why are we having a problem doing that? Tom

[massplumber2008]

Hi Mabaud

I think I see your issue here. Tom, the crossbar is corroded away and the toe touch stopper is gone so they need to remove the entire strainer assembly... ;) Here, as you know, they have only 3 options:

1) They can use a sawzall and cut the strainer out (not recommended here).

2) They can use a mini hacksaw and cut a vgroove into the strainer and then hit a cold chisel counterclockwise to remove the strainer (this works better than you might think Mabaud... just be careful not to hit the tub, right?). See image of this below.

Another option is to purchase a TUB KEY (see image)... not a tub drain removal tool as that won't work without a cross bar... but a tub key(purchase online). Check out this link and scroll down to the tub key (not the tub drain removal tool at the top... tub key at the bottom)... super cool tool that will make short work of this:

PlumbingSupply.com - How To Use Drain Removal Tools

After you remove the strainer assembly simply purchase a new toe touch drain assembly only and some plumber's putty (and pipe dope for strainer threads) and install using the tub key.

Hope that finalizes this for you.

Mark

[Mabaud]

Hi Mabaud

I think I see your issue here. Tom, the crossbar is corroded away and the toe touch stopper is gone so they need to remove the entore strainer assembly...;) Here, as you know, they have only 3 options:

1) They can use a sawzall and cut the strainer out (not recommended here).

2) They can use a mini hacksaw and cut a vgroove into the strainer and then hit a cold chisel counterclockwise to remove the strainer (this works better than you might think Mabaud...just be careful not to hit the tub, right?). See image of this below.

Another option is to purchase a TUB KEY (see image)...not a tub drain removal tool as that won't work without a cross bar...but a tub key(purchase online). Check out this link and scroll down to the tub key (not the tub drain removal tool at the top...tub key at the bottom)...super cool tool that will make short work of this:

PlumbingSupply.com - How To Use Drain Removal Tools

After you remove the strainer assembly simply purchase a new toe touch drain assembly only and some plumber's putty (and pipe dope for strainer threads) and install using the tub key.

Hope that finalizes this for you.

Mark

Mark, Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You totally understand that we need to replace the entire drain. Will see about getting a tub key as you suggested and fix our tub! Thanks again , Mary Ann

[massplumber2008]

Keep us posted on final result, OK? Good night!