#2 grey tank pull

[brian ayerst]

on attemting to open my #2 grey tank both the handle and the rod came out. I notice there is a thread on the inside of the rod, how much of a job is this to put back or replace. The rod sticks through a hole in the underbelly, will this wind back on or could the threads possible be stripped, when I drop the underbelly will I be able to open the gate with a pair of vice grips to empty the tank. My drain leaver is just ahead of the wheels. thankyou