Plumbing Help! tried to replace the drain, the pipe under the tub is metal and it broke cant get the drain out

Question

we were replacing all the seats, stems and handles...all was going well until we got to the drain. We couldn't get it to come lose and an internet forum we found said to use WD-40, a chisel and hammer to losen it. Well I guess it would work for most, but not us! We got really excited when it began turning and then when it wouln't come out we realized something broke. The pipe snapped off. It's some type of metal (the tub is about 30 yrs old) Now we don't know how to get the drain out so we can try to replace it. The worst part....we only have 1 bathroom and looks like the camper will be set up for showers.

Answer 1

This is what I would do. Remove the access door behind the tub.
See where the pipe broke. Call a plumber. (maybe) It probably broke where the "bath shoe" ties into the overflow tee. Insert a long heavy duty screwdriver or crowbar into the bath shoe pipe. Spin the tube to the right until it rests against a stud or a joist. Buy, rent or borrow an "Internal wrench" a Home Cheapo or Blowes special probably wont work, but it might. A Ridgid brand will work best. Put the internal wrench inside the drain strainer. You may have to cut out the cross shaped piece of metal with a reciprocating saw (sawzall) or a jigsaw. Protect the tub with something and put a large adjustable wrench or pipe wrench on the internal wrench and unscrew. Buy a new brass waste and overflow and use the shoe from that one hang on to the rest of it for future use.
Alternative: From the access panel behind the tub, use a Sawzall and cut through the stopper. It will probably be bouncing and jiggling all over the place. Don't try this method if your tub is not made of cast iron.
Alternative 2: Use a sawzall and CAREFULLY cut the chrome piece (strainer) through the threads that hold it to the bath shoe and through the top part that holds it to the tub in at least two places. Chisel out the section you just cut out and the rest of it should collapse with a little help frome some channel locks. Don't try this method if your tub is not cast iron or you are not really comfortable with a sawzall.
Good luck, this is a big pain in the neck job.

Answer 2

Well you did mess it up. You might try the wall behind the tub. Some have a door there . If it is big enough you can work in there. But you will probably have to go under the house. When you got it to turn it pulled out of the overflow pipe. if someone can hold the bottom of the drain pipe from underneath you could unscrew it from the top. Then replace that with a new drain and overflow pipe.....Good luck

Answer 3

I once owned a house of that classic. It had a million ¼” copper drain to a million ½” threaded metallic to 4” forged iron. The smaller stuff became uncomplicated to disconnect and a number of it did corrode. the solid iron became sealed with lead poured into the joints. I had to break the pipe with a small 3 lb sledge and ¾” chisel. i purchased an adaptor to slot it to the hot ABS I put in because there became no want to modify each and each of the old forged iron pipe, it is going to live longer than the domicile.

Answer 4

If You don't have access behind the tub, get a hack saw blade because you are going to need about a 2'X2' entry to that area. If you do a good job with the saw you and put the drywall back together with 2-hinges attached, Shazam,you've got access in the future!

Answer 5

get you a propane torch and heat it up till it is shining hot then take a chisel and cut it out. and then replace it with pvc pipe and adapter.

Answer 6

This is why amateurs should not attempt anything beyond their scope. Watching too many home improvement shows.