Unscrew the nut that is on the drain that holds this piece in. Pull the shaft out just a tad. Rotate stopper so that the hole at the bottom is lined up with the shaft. push the shaft back in and try to operate. You will have to take some thing like a steaknife to open the stopper first and let the water drain out. Don't let the stopper go back down. If you still can't get it to work right, ask a neighbor to help you. Ask one that is always doing things around his/ or her house, I'm sure they will know how. Ron J.