Disclosed herein is an apparatus for assisting with the installation or removal of a garbage disposal unit. The apparatus comprises a rod, a mechanism coupled to the rod, a plate which is moveably coupled to the rod, and multiple wedges. The wedges are pivotally coupled to the plate. Upon engaging the mechanism, the wedges move from a contracted first position to an expanded second position. When the wedges are in the expanded second position, the wedges are capable of engaging with the inside side walls of a garbage disposal unit to transfer a weight of the garbage disposal unit onto the mechanism and the rod.