Bathtub Drain Repair

I have a bathtub drain that stopped working. The little lever under the faucet that you flip down to open the drain wouldn't stay down. I went to remove the 2 screws that hold the chrome plate the lever sticks through and both screws twisted off. I'm guessing that the only solution now is to replace this whole assembly? The lever wouldn't stay down so the tub would drain, not sure what "holds it in the down position" but it wouldn't stay down so the tub wouldn't drain without someone holding it down. The upside is there is already an access panel in the closet wall behind it for ease of access. Any input on my path forward is appreciated....

TexasFire

 

Usually it is just a spring and detent on the back of the plate that holds the lever in up or down position. Normally one would just replace the plate; new ones come with new spring.

The screws that sheared off screw into the tub overflow drain elbow. You may be able to remove them by drilling them out or using an ez-out, but in worse case, since you have acess, you could replace the overflow drain and elbow with a new one. Pulling the existing overflow drain would make it a lot easier to try to remove the broken screws, rather than trying to do it in place.

 

If you have to resort to replacing the overflow, you may want to go with a blank plate and install a "toe tapper" type stopper in the drain itself. Just tap it with you toe and it seals. Another tap and it opens, sort of like a ball point pen.

Watco 1.865 in. Overall Diameter x 11.5 Threads x 1.25 in. Foot Actuated Bathtub Closure in Chrome Plated-68305-CP - The Home Depot

 

I don't expect to be able to get those broken studs out. The screws are very small to begin with & there is very little clearance to get to them. If I had installed this I would have used stainless steel screws and plenty of never-sieze lubricant on the threads.
I haven't pulled my access plate yet. Hoping it's not too tricky getting that out. I figure I will just replace it.

TexasFire