How to Remove a SinkMaster 550 Garbage Disposal

Unplug the SinkMaster 550 power cord from the outlet under the sink. If your unit is wired directly into the house wires, shut off the circuit breaker inside the home electrical panel. Place a piece of tape over the circuit breaker to prevent the breaker from being accidentally turned on until you replace your disposal and reconnect the wires. Remove the screw that secures the electrical cover on the bottom of the disposal with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

Turn the plastic wire nuts counterclockwise that secure the house wires to the Sinkmaster wires. Loosen the strain relief clamp screws that secure the house conduit to the side of the disposal. Pull the conduit away from the disposal and twist the wire caps over the tips of each house wire.

Place a bucket under the disposal unit near the drain pipe connection and the dishwasher hose connection. Loosen the screw on the dishwasher hose clamp with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the dishwasher hose away from the disposal.

Remove the two screws securing the drain discharge elbow to the disposal with the Phillips-head screwdriver. Loosen the slip nut securing the discharge elbow to the sink drain pipe with slip-joint pliers. Pull the discharge elbow off the disposal and the drain pipe and place the elbow out of the way.

Look at the top of your disposal where it connects to the sink flange assembly. The SinkMaster will either have a three-bolt flange assembly above it or a snap ring assembly. Insert a flat-head screwdriver under the lip of the snap ring and pry the tip away from the disposal to unlock the ring. Twist the disposal counterclockwise and remove the disposal from the sink.

Loosen the clamp on the side of the disposal if you have the three-bolt flange. Pull down on one side of the disposal to release the clamp from the edge of the mount. Pull straight down and remove the disposal from the sink.

Remove the three bolts with the Phillips-head screwdriver and pull the mount assembly away from the bottom of the sink drain. If you have the snap ring assembly, rotate the large nut that secures the sink drain flange to the sink with a pipe wrench. Pull the sink drain flange out of the sink.