Replacing shower waste plug hole fittings?

[Hagstrom]

I'm wanting to replace two shower tray "plug holes" because Mrs Hagstrom poured acid down them in a cleanliness drive (obsession) and the chrome surrounds have oxidised. The plugs have "SMEV" stamped on them so that's my first port of call but being a scaredy cat, I don't want to unscrew the Phillips screw in the centre of the trap fitting in case the bottom part drops away and leaves me with taking up the shower tray to rectifiy the matter.

Has anyone taken out the screw and found problems with the housing that the screw goes into? Photo enclosed to assist. You can see the oxidation discolouration and the central Phillips screw.

 

[webby1]

Our shattered twice as we reckon the waste hose was a little short and every time the waste tank moved/vibrated it pulled on the trap.........................or maybe we just had it too tight.

But make sure you can get a hand underneath to hold the replacement as I think if you undo the central screw the waste pipe will just drop away.

 

[Hagstrom]

Thanks, Webby, it dropping away was what I was frightened of as there's no access at all under the shower tray.

 

[TheBig1]

a trick i use for those circumstances is use a piece of stiff wire like gardeners wire with a hook on the end. set the hook through the plughole to hold the waste up as you change the chrome trim.
set the hook through the chrome tim and catch on the lower plastic
undo screw
slide plughole up and off the wire
slide replacement back onto the wire
do up new screw
push wire and hook down slightly, turn it and pull out

took longer to explain than do the job

dont forget, don't overtighten the screw as the rubber seal will keep it waterproof

 

[funflair]

Not wishing to diss the @TheBig1 's suggestion as it is a good one but I would just add that there should be a 3 legged cross of plastic hiding under the metal drain that you can hook onto.

Martin

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[Hagstrom]

Thanks TheBigOne and Martin, I'll investigate the three legged cross and wire hook method.