I took my p trap apart to clear it out and am having leak problems now. The issue is that the trap has a 90 degree elbow, with no slip nut on on end. If the elbow is tightened on the end with no slip nut, it doesn't line up with the p-trap. If it lines up with the p-trap, it's not tightened. Any idea on the solution here? The picture below shows the issue--thanks!

I would remove all that and start over all the way to the connection between the trap arm and whatever fitting is in the wall. Easy sometimes, other times a bit more challenging.

Unfortunately the trap arm goes into the dry wall no easy way to take it apart. Could I put some teflon tape on the male end of the PVC in the picture above so that the metal fitting will be snug at the right angle? It does not appear to be a compression fitting but I could be wrong

How was it together and not leaking before? Can you not put it back the same way?

I don't know how it didn't leak before, but there seems to be some sort of hardened paste on the male PVC fitting which may have been keeping it all together...

That stuff may be pipe dope (thread sealant) or possibly some caulking. If none of your drain pieces are broken it should go back together the same way it was before. Can you post a photo of the other drain pieces you removed?

Yes, you can put some teflon tape on the threads so that the 90 fitting will get tight sooner. The drain is not pressurized, so you don't have to get it any tighter than needed to prevent a leak.



Edited 4 times.

that male adapter is made into the elbow at the factory. as advised put some teflon tape on the plactic threads and make it up.

It is a threaded connection and you just need a bigger wrench so you can tighten it more.

"It is a threaded connection and you just need a bigger wrench so you can tighten it more."
...

Or easily strip the threads, the male end is pvc.