Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Single-Lever Bathroom Faucet Install Problem (Post Moved Here)

I ran into a little problem and I'm not sure how to go about this problem. I'm just about almost done installing my Single-Lever Bathroom Faucet. My only problem is the Pop-up drain rod. It's right up against the washer that holds the faucet down so it always grinds each other when I try to pull the rod up and down, making it difficult to pop the drain up/down.

Here is the Faucet I bought
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100429694&N=10000003+500492+10401010&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125


Do you guys have any suggestions on what I can do? Here is a sketch of my problem. The red dot is where the rod comes down and hits the washer.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2166/faucetsetupuh0.jpg

I just installed two of these in a bath for a customer. It is possible you have the washer reversed. Turn it around to where the open part is toward the rear. That should alleviate the rubbing problem. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for your reply. I believe I have the washer facing the rear already. I can try to play w/ different positions until it works.