[woodchip]

Hi,
I have a question concering winterizing an inground vinyl lined pool.
I removed the eyeballs from the filter returns and want to install the winter plugs. After I removed the eyeballs, the returns now have a large male threaded section. The plugs have a smaller male threaded section. I know these have worked before because I had the pool winterized professionally last year. There are outer covers around the threaded sections but it looks like there are screws going through them, so I cant imagine that I would want to remove them. If I feel inside the fittings I can feel a female threaded section that would fit the plugs but they are too far in to reach the threadson the plugs. Do I need to remove these outer collars? Will I be ripping through the liner if I try this.
Your help is greatly appreciated.

[mrfixit]

I think what you are describing are threaded inserts. Grab ahold of the threaded part you can see protruding from the socket and turn it out (either by hand or it may be necessary to use channel locks... be careful not to damage the threads.) You will then be able to thread in the winter plugs. Don't remove the screws or the faceplate.