Thanks Mike....nice explanation! I put the strainer back in, but will take it out again to look at it. So, the knob and rod actually slip through from the front and then the large nut goes on to attach to the shell. I thought maybe the rod was pressed into that washer in the strainer body. I took a look at the "Fix Your Zoomatic" in the Restoration and Help section, and it looks like the rod is supposed to be held in place by the pressed in washer (pic below). Can't tell if that raised part on the rod is supposed to be pressed into the washer or is behind the washer and held in place by the washer.
I will take my SK apart again and try this over again.
Thanks very much!