Sink drain plug detached from post

[dougga]

I have a newer sink with a drain plug that is controlled from a single post behind the water spout - like most bathroom faucets.

Currently, moving the post has no effect on the drain plug.

The mechanism seems simple enough:

-Metal post is adjusted vertically by user

-Post moves lever under sink up & down

-Lever enters center pipe just below sink

-Lever attaches to lower end of drain plug

-Drain plug raises and lowers with movement of lever.

Without taking the whole thing apart to investigate, are there any quick fixes for this problem. I'm assuming I'm not the first person on earth to see this.

Much thanks in advance.

[I-zheet M'drurz]

Silly question that needs to be asked: Are you sure that "metal post" /\ and "lever" \/ are connected?

If so, and it actually makes the lever move when you raise and lower the post, then it is inside of the drain section. Only trouble is that there really isn't a whole lot to go wrong in there (just what you wanted to hear, right? lol)

Try moving the (horizontal) lever up and down by hand, see if it makes the plug move. It almost *has* to be the linkage between that and the (vertical) post.

Even if the hidden inner linkage is broken, the plug should still fall down from gravity when you lower the level. You might want ot make sure it isn't covered with a couple months/years worth of hair and gunk that are making it bind inside the drain sleeve.

There is good news. It is a relatively easy thing to take apart, probably one of the easiest access paths in all of bathroom plumbing.

[mwlogs]

Is the stopper stuck in the down/closed position? If so, and as ther respondent says, all the mechanism is working under the sink up to the point the rod enters the drain pipe, then the problem is that the stopper has come off the rod inside the drain. If so:

Usually the 'nut' that holds the rod inside the drain is only hand tightened, but you may need a pair or large plyers or vice-grips. Remove the nut and pull the rod out of the drain pipe.

Pull or pry the drain stopper out of the drain (through the sink - carefully as to not damage the seal.

Check the end of the stopper. Usually it will have a hole of slot on one side, slightly off-center. The rod should extend into this slot. carefully re-insert the stopper with this slot facing towards the hole were the rod enters the drain pipe, trying to fit the end into the hole in the stopper. It may take a couple tries, and if it's a vanity, a second pair of hands and eyes might come in handy.

When you think you've got it, re-insert the rod and hand tighten the nut. Operate the drain a few times to see that it works. Finish tightening the nut, but only tight enough that it won't leak. Don't over tighten or the drain will be heard to operate.