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Connect Pivot Rod — Disconnect the Pivot Rod

Beginner

Part of project

How to Remove and Replace a Bathroom Sink Pop-Up Stopper · Step 2 of 7

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In this video

Connect the pivot rod to the drain body by threading the pivot rod nut onto the metal side of the rod and inserting the rod into the drain hole. Connect the lift rod to the pivot rod using the metal strap and a lock clip.

Goal: Enable the stopper's up-and-down movement via the lift rod.

  • Don't overtighten the pivot rod nut; just ensure it's snug to hold the rod in place while allowing up-and-down movement.
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FAQs

How difficult is it to replace a bathroom sink pop-up stopper for a beginner, and how long should it take?

This project is rated as 'beginner' difficulty. For most DIYers, it should take about 30 minutes to an hour, assuming no major complications like rusted or seized parts. Taking your time to understand the linkage and ensuring a good seal will prevent future issues.

What are the most common problems I might encounter when replacing the stopper, and how can I avoid them?

The most common issues are leaks after reassembly and difficulty with the pivot rod. To avoid leaks, ensure all connections, especially the nut holding the pivot rod, are tightened properly but not overtightened. If the old pivot rod is stuck, apply penetrating oil and let it sit before trying to remove it gently with your Husky 10 in. Quick Adjusting Groove Joint Pliers.

Do I need all the specific tools listed, like the Husky groove joint pliers or the Flateye flashlight?

While specific brands aren't mandatory, having a good pair of adjustable pliers (like groove joint or channel locks) is crucial for loosening nuts under the sink. A bright, hands-free flashlight, such as the Panther Vision FLATEYE, is also highly recommended as lighting under a sink cabinet is usually poor. These tools will make the job significantly easier and safer.

How can I prevent water leaks after installing the new pop-up stopper?

The key to preventing leaks is ensuring the new stopper assembly, especially the part that goes through the drain opening, is properly sealed. Most new stoppers come with gaskets, but applying a small bead of plumber's putty around the underside of the drain flange before inserting it can provide an extra layer of protection. Always test by filling the sink and letting it drain slowly, checking for drips immediately after installation using WYPALL L40 Towels.

Transcript
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move on now that we have our stopper dropped into our drain our next step is to connect our pivot rod to do this you'll notice the pivot rod has plastic side and a metal side the plastic side is going to go into the drain contacting that stopper so I want to make sure I take my pivot rod nut feed it over the back metal side of the pivot rod making sure the threads our face in the plastic part now as I bring this up I'm also gonna check my pivot rod hole to make sure I still have that rubber gasket in that plastic seat in the right position then I'm gonna insert the rod from the back and hand tighten the nut onto the drain body and as I do this important note is we don't need to over tighten this we just want to be snug enough that it keeps the rod in place so you can see that it still moves up and down but doesn't fall at all I can keep it up and keep it down perfect alright now that the down position our next step is to connect the rod to the lift rod so I'm gonna use my metal strap here you'll see it has a locking screw on the top of it I want to make sure this locking screw is loosened up enough that I can insert it easily onto my lift rod and insert my lift rod through these two holes on the top by the screw just need it up on there alright perfect I'm going to connect the strap to my pivot rod now it doesn't really matter what hole you choose on this you just want enough that you're not gonna contact any of your plumbing and also have enough so when you lift it up and down you can adjust it a little bit if you need to lock it onto the rod I'm using my lock clip I insert one side of the clip over the pivot rod then through the strap hole and then pinch it a little bit to get to lock onto the pivot rod you can see it's not gonna fall off as it goes up and down all right so our final step is to make sure my pivot rod is in the down position as well as my lift rod up top is in the down position when that looks good I'm gonna tighten up my lock screw it's gonna hold the strap onto the lift rod use wrench just to give it a good little tight because we don't want that to ever come loose all right that feels good all right that about does it I'm gonna check the operation of the lift rod from the top to make sure the stopper is going up and down correctly finish up my plumbing and I think we're about done next we're

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