How can I remove a bathtub drain with no cross bar at the bottom?

Question

Bottom cross bar is completely broken away

Answer 1

Go to a good Hardware Store (NOT HOME DEPOT) their info sucks. But anyway there is a tool you put in drain that expands and grips it so you can turn it.(I forgot what it's called)

GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

If you've got a fiberglass tub your'e in trouble. If you have an old steel tub, something in the 20 to 30 year old range, you can get a small grinder like the ones made by Dremel, or a Roto Zip with a cutoff disc and grind a slot thru the flange in 3 or 4 places, from the edge into the center. Then take a small chisel and a hammer and carefully peel the pieces out till you get to the center. When you have all or most of them out you should be able to force the remaining pieces out through the hole. I've seen the tool the first fellow is talking about, but I don't think it expands, it's just tapered, and has slots in the bottom to fit over the cross bars that are missing on your drain. However you decide, it's going to be a job. I've had to do several old drains like this and it's doable, but it's not fun. Good luck