Got the proper tool. Found that someone caulked around the ring and just needs new putty. Plus cleaning the caulk out of it. All you see in the pic is good. I had to open the ceiling to find the leak. Did this before, about a foot over due to the shower leaking. Strangeness at home depot last night. It must have been beginners night. Not putting anyone down, but it was comedic.
Edit: tp, I have plumber at the ready in case it was all that. You can see the new pvc at the tub. Was standing on a ladder in at bathtub holding flashlight and phone, so the light wasn't in the exact position.
Update: There's a rubber seal, so rather than take it off, I tried to tighten it. lol, the cross broke off and the escutcheon came off, leaving the rest. I really don't want to buy the extraction tool because I'll probably not use it enough to pay for itself. On top of that, home depot doesn't even have a simple, plain drain. Like money is no object? It is. In a rental you have to get things done as reasonably as possible. I guess this one is going to cost someone, and it ain't gonna be me.
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