HELP! Bathroom sink stopper removed to clean out hair but the nut came out of the pipe - can't get it back in?

Question

My bathroom sink wasn't draining because of hair clogs so I followed instructions on several Internet websites and was able to loosen the nut that holds the horizontal bar that goes into the bottom of the stopper. Unfortunately, the nut came all the way out instead of just loosening. I cleaned out all the hair clumps. BUT - HELP! When I went to put the horizontal bar and nut back into the pipe -- the nut won't go back in -- I put a mirror behind it to view it since it faces the back wall of the vanity. No matter how I turn it and even when it looks to be perfectly lined up it doesn't s***w back in. HELP! I can't use the sink anymore without the nut back in because the water will come pouring out into the vanity. Could it have just been glued in? PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

Just go and get an old type rubber stopper.Otherwise you are going to have to pull the drain pipe out to fix it.If you mean that part of the popup that pushes up the stoper then remember you are looking from the front so tightening is reversed.The reason it doesn't go in is it is probably hitting the bottom of the stopper part(turn and push down that part(the stopper) till the rod goes in)

Answer 2

Make sure you are trying to turn the nut the correct way.

I know this sounds arrogant, but it's not meant to be. You are trying to put on a nut that is on the back side of the pipe -- and it could be you are turning it the wrong way.

The other thing to check is to make sure the ball-stopper that the nut holds in is seated in the pipe - if it isn't, you may not be able to get the first couple of threads started.

Above all else, don't panic. This isn't a big deal. Take your time. Be thorough and you'll get it fixed.

Good Luck!

EDIT: Given the added information - the piece is broken and the entire tail piece will need to be replaced. Normally, the nut should come off of the threads -- in your case, the nut held and the pipe failed. You will need to replace the entire tail piece. Remove the old tail piece & take it with you to the store (Lowes, Home Depot) and get the same length replacement.

You will also need to use silicon to seal replacement.

Glad you provided additional informaiton.

Answer 3

You need to replace the pop up assembly.  The part you are describing, is soldered in at the factory, and unless you know how to solder, it is cheaper and faster to just replace it.  Good luck!

Answer 4

could be that the little plastic ball on the rod is not seating make sure that its in correctly  also did you actually remove the rod  if so make sure its in the right way  have seen very short rods and if you put it in the wrong way again the ball might not seat  also these are fine threads on the cap you might just not have it lined up right  take time be patient   never saw one glued on before but its possible with a real el cheapie  also could be the threads are stripped in that case go to hd with pipe and match up

Answer 5

Hi. When putting the rod into the housing it must fit into a hole on the stopper otherwise the rod will hold out the retaining nut and it will not engage the threads. If it is a long reach and you may have to have someone hold the stopper hole in just the right spot to slide in the bar and engage the nut. If you cannot get it just leave the stopper out and put the rod and retaining nut on and go ahead and use it this way until a friend comes over. Hope this helps plumbing can be frustrating at times.