Bathtub Trip Lever Plunger Won't Go Past Lip Of Pipe

[DaniJames]

I was caulking my bathtub and was removing the caulk around the overflow plate when the linkage for the plunger came loose. I removed the linkage put the plunger back down the hole but now the tub wouldn't hold water even when though I could hear the plunger bottom out.

I took the overflow pipe off and discovered that there is a lip on the pipe, https://ibb.co/0CGb50C, that the plunger is bottoming out on and I can't get the plunger past this point. I also uploaded a pic of where the plunger is bottoming out on the pipe, https://ibb.co/BTkznFL

I cleaned up the lip with a wire brush and file and greased the plug with plumber's grease and still no luck. I bought a new plastic plug and was able to get it past the lip but broke it in the process. The tub held water for 10 years so I know the old brass plug worked. I feel like I am missing something easy in my assessment of this issue. Any thoughts out there?

 

[OLD TIMER]

Try tapping on the ring towards the drain and see if it moves.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

I am not thereto see what your problem is, but the "plug" MUST fit snugly through that ring or the tub will NEVER fill with water.

 

[Jpinky]

Did you ever find a solution because this same thing has happened to me and I can't figure it out.