How do I fix broken foot-lock drain stopper ?

Question

I have the foot-lock stopper broken. Please see the photograph here, this is "Price Pfister" brand.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2iu8i9g&s=4

I found one similar item from lowes -- I tried both the sizes 3/8" and 5/16" s***w size. None of them fits into the s***w hole. The original [ broken ] one is plastic made and the s***w looks little thicker.

So, I thought of replacing the whole assembly and bought the following [picture].

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2iveeci&s=4

But I could not take out the original lock stop from the bathtub. I tried real hard but could not. I do not know for sure if it is supposed to come out ?

Can someone please suggest me how can I fix this problem ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

If the shoe is plastic, which I'm sure it is, it's easy to remove the strainer, and go back with a lift and twist strainer and stopper.

With plastic shoes, the strainer is not installed tight enough that a homeowner couldn't get it out.

They make strainer tools, but for over thirty years now, I use a 1" iron pipe nipple that has been notched on the end  so it'll fit down into the strainer, and with the help of channellock pliers, s***w the strainer off.

Put a ring of plumbers putty on the rim of the new strainer, and a little pipe dope on the threads, and s***w the new strainer in by hand several turns before using the tools.

s***w the new lift and turn stopper in the new strainer and that's it.

Since you may not know how to make the strainer tool out of a iron pipe nipple, just buy one.

The one thing I do as a plumber is to s***w the new strainer down tight enough so I can't stick a fingernail in between the tub and strainer. When I can't stick a fingernail between the two, I stop tightening.

Regardless what brand of toe touch stopper you have, they are worthless, and we always go back with a lift and turn.

They make two different threads of strainers, so pull the old one off and take it with you and match up the threads with the new strainer.

Answer 2

Don't try to remove the entire strainer - you could get in trouble if you aren't familiar with how to get it out & back in (it could start leaking).

Call PP @ 1-800-732-8238 & see if they'll send you a replacement part.  It's much simpler that way.