Help! Bathtub drain issue

[joebridges]

I am trying to replace the drain in a fiberglass tub/shower combo unit. It is one that the drain twists to close or open in the bottom of the tub. The center part of the unit broke out so I have nothing to grab onto to twist it out. (I didn't do this - it happened during use). I can't use the specialty tool or any tool I know of to get it out. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Of course this would happen the day after we decide to put the house on the market.

[Phelps]

So you have the kind that in order to unscrew the chrome stopper portion, you must first lower the stopper and a part that sticks out grabs onto the center post and let's you unscrew the stopper? But since your post (or the part on the stopper that sticks out) is broke, the stopper just keeps spinning in circles so you can't get it out? Is that it? And because you can't get it out, you can't even get a "dumbbell" type wrench in the strainer to put in a whole new strainer. Is that it?

If so, you wil have to raise the stopper up to it's max and try to grab the post and squeeze it with a needlenose pliers, perhaps.

I have lots of these in rentals and will look at one and see what, if anything better, can be done.

[joebridges]

No - the stopper is out but the drain is just an empty metal ring now - nothing in the middle at all to grab and turn.

[Phelps]

I see. Well, they do make tools that the harder you squeeze the pliers-type handles, the more it presses OUTward. Battery post cable expander tools work like that. So do those automotive keeper springs that have those two little holes in them. I recently ran into another such tool that when you squeeze on the handles, it presses outward. If you happen to jave say a Harbor Freight store by you...that be a good.

You might also be able to either make or use something that could work, such as the end of a triangular hoe, by wedging the trianglular metal down into the round hole and try unscrewing as you force it down.

[joebridges]

I finally got it - I punched a hole in it with a screwdriver and used that to turn it. The hole was an accident but it didn't damage the tub so I got lucky. Thanks for your ideas. I may have to get one of those tools just to keep on hand.