Need help clearing clogged shower drain

[plumbingnoob1]

I have a very slow tub drain in an old house I just purchased. I removed the cover (there is no drain stop switch) and there is an L-shape rod I assume operated a drain plug previously? I want to snake the drain but can't get past this rod... thoughts?

 

[Twowaxhack]

You could stuff a rag into the overflow hole and use a plunger.

Or

Go behind the tub and take the overflow tube out and drain linkage. Then run a drain cable through the drain to clear the obstruction.

Or

Something I don’t recommend and I don’t do professionally. Use a chemical drain cleaner.

 

[Geofd]

I just looked closely, at the overflow I think I see the linkage, just use a pair of needle nose pliers and pull up slowly.....if that's what I'm seeing

 

[Twowaxhack]

I just looked closely, at the overflow I think I see the linkage, just use a pair of needle nose pliers and pull up slowly.....if that's what I'm seeing

It has two linkages. Upper and lower. They connect together in the overflow tee behind the tub. Neither one will just lift out.

 

[Geofd]

It has two linkages. Upper and lower. They connect together in the overflow tee behind the tub. Neither one will just lift out.

I see the second linkage sticking out of the shoe, we have something similar to that , think it's a Gerber there is a spring at the bottom of the vertical linkage that move the horizontal linkage up and down