[coblas]

I'm trying to replace a old Moen #4690 bathroom faucet and pop-up drain. I'm unable to remove the pop-up ring in the sink from the drain pipe that it's attached to so I can pull the drain pipe down to remove it. It doesn't appear to screw in from the top like the new L4621 does. I can't pull the mechanism up because the large nut, washer, and gasket underneath don't fit up through the hole where the drain is and are above a fixed Y in the pipe. I've been able to loosen everything else. Will I have to saw off the pipe under the sink above the large nut? Thank you for any suggestions.

[massplumber2008]

Loosen the nut underneath all the way down the threads and then pull the cone washer down to the nut... should allow you to push up on the assembly and expose the top enough to unscrew the top ring. If needed, you can cut the cone washer off after you pull it down (use utility knife), which will give you more room up top. Use two pliers here... one on ring up top and the other on the assembly below.

Good luck!

Mark

[coblas]

All was loosened and I have the access. The problem is that I'm unable to unscrew the top ring. It seems to overlap on the inside of the drain pipe under it less than 1/8" but is solidly attached. I wondered if they were made to screw on in the past.

[afaroo]

If possible please post a picture will help to evaluate, Thanks.

John

[coblas]

Sorry. I don't have the ability to post a picture. If you can imagine that top ring being firmly attached to the pipe sticking up under it in the sink, that's the problem. I can't budge the ring.

[massplumber2008]

The ring spins off. Did you cut the washer from underneath? If not do that and then grip the ring with a pair of pliers and grip the pipe/tailpiece from the bottom with another pair of pliers and unscrew the ring up top. It can be tough to grip the ring up top with the pliers but eventually you'll get a good bite with the pliers and it should unscrew pretty easy.

[coblas]

Yes, I cut the washer, but the ring won't budge. Maybe after 44 years that's not surprising.

[massplumber2008]

Maybe you need bigger pliers. These can be tough, but will always spin off given enough force. Finally, if pliers fail, just cut the pipe above the nut and push the whole thing up through the sink.

[coblas]

The cutting was what I hoped to avoid. Thank you for the suggestions.

[Milo Dolezal]

If you already cut the washer - then take hammer and tap onto the pipe in upward direction, from under the sink. It will get loose.

[massplumber2008]

Cutting is super easy if you use the right tool... see image. This is a mini hacksaw. With a new blade it should cut the pipe in 1 minute or less! Good luck

[coblas]

If you already cut the washer - then take hammer and tap onto the pipe in upward direction, from under the sink. It will get loose.

The pipe is loose. It's the ring above the drain that I can't get off so I can back the pipe down.

[coblas]

Cutting the pipe was the only way. It worked well and it's obvious that the pipe and ring are solidly together. Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Milo Dolezal]

Some drains come with the upper ring as a part of the drain tube, some rings screw on top of the drain pipe. You have to determine which one you have and based on that you remove the ring. But in any case, removing drain is always the most difficult part of old faucet removal. Glad you got it removed.

Milo

[coblas]

Even though the ring and drain tube were bonded, the ring had to be attached separately from the top, since the drain tube underneath has a Y in it to accommodate the drain plug mechanism and has to go in from the bottom. This has been an education. Thank you all for your help.