Removing shower drain cover

Thanks for the update!

I finally got it off with channel locks. The 1-3/4" offset wrench was about 1/8" too small. Turns out the clamping nut on the P-trap was broke so I need to replace the trap too. It's all good though. Once loose, the only way to remove the trap was via the adjacent kitchen drawer hole. And in the process, I discovered low point drain valves that I had assumed didn't exist after extensive searching last fall.:o

Thanks for the replies. There is a small hatch on the side of the shower. Just enough room to reach one hand under the drain (with face pressed up against the shower) and feel the nut. Channel locks wouldn't grab it. I found a 1-3/4" basin wrench at work that I'm going to try tonight. It seems to be about the right size by my scientific measurement (put thumb and forefinger over the nut - maintain finger position while removing hand from small opening. Measure distance between fingers).

Do you have access from underneath? My rig has a small hatch in the left rear wheel well.

It has a big nut on the bottom of it. You have to remove this nut and loosen the clamping nut at the P-trap and then it should lift out. It has cross shaped things in side of it - a Channel-Lock's handle works good to keep it from turning while you unscrew the nut. It should be siliconed in. You never wan't to use plumbers putty on a plastic tub - use fresh silicone when installing the new drain.

I strongly recommend using either a chrome/brass or plastic drain. The cheap chrome ones will not last nearly as long - they rust out quickly.

emcee wrote:
The shower drain cover is completely encrusted with white deposits, has started to corrode and is not connected (broken off?)to the P trap under the shower so it has to be replaced. How? Does it just unscrew like a home fixture? Is it glued to the shower instead of using plumbers putty?

I just replaced my cracked cheap plastic shower strainer. It spun right off under shower pan. I went to www.jrprvinc.com and clicked on plumbing and strainers. They have some nice steel ones.