Abstract: In a trip lever bath waste and overflow system, a valve actuating linkage having a ratchet mechanism for easy length adjustment of the linkage. The ratchet mechanism includes a toothed rod which telescopes into a sleeve equipped with a wire clip serving as a pawl. After the linkage has been inserted into the overflow, the trip lever can be actuated to cause the rod to retract into the sleeve until the linkage assumes the proper length. The one way nature of the ratchet mechanism allows this retraction and also maintains the linkage in the proper length following initial adjustment.