Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
A bathroom sink typically has two fixture holes on either 4-, 6- or 8-inch centers. The wider types are meant to receive a split-set faucet, with faucet handles separate from the spout. The 4- or 6-inch holes may receive a center set or a single-lever faucet.
Pop-up stoppers move up and down to open or close sink drains. You raise and lower sink pop-ups with a knob, usually located near a faucet handle.
The knob is actually the head of a lift rod fastened to a clevis, a connecting bar. The clevis connects to a pivot rod-and-ball assembly—that is, a rod that runs through a rubber pivot ball and slopes slightly uphill to the tailpiece of the stopper.
Pushing the knob and the lift rod down causes the pivot rod to push the stopper up; pulling the knob causes the pivot rod to pull the stopper down. If you want to remove the assembly, you may be able to pull it right out. You may have to twist it, however, to unhook it from the clevis.
