Toilet repair question

[jmc]

Hello,

I need to take the nuts off the two bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. Once they get loose, the bolt spins. What normally keeps those bolts from spinning?

Thanks.
John

 

[Kendall69]

Here ya go...

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/bath/fixt_repair/toilet/wax_ring/replace.htm

 

[Bird]

What normally keeps those bolts from spinning?

The square part of the bolt (carriage bolt) right next to the head of the bolt is in a slot that keeps it from turning normally. If it's in the right place, and isn't too corroded, you can simply pull up on the bolt to hold that square section up in the slot and that'll keep it from turning.

 

[randy41]

the bolt heads aren't round they are kind of oval. they are inside the bolt slots on the toilet flange. theoretically the width of the slot is < the fat part of the bolt head. chances are that if you pull up on the nuts while loosening the bolts will not turn.

 

[JerryG]

Most if not all are oval now. I have seen the type Bird spoke of also.

 

[kenmac]

if your's are not the brass ones you are S.O.L.. They are rusted together. You will have to take (as I do sometimes) a small grinder & grind them off. Good luck.

 

[jmc]

Well, that little project became a lot of trouble. My wife wanted to replace the broken plastic caps over the bolts. The aftermarket replacements were too big which required changing the plastic bases under the nuts as well. The nuts would loosen until they reached the hacksawed section of thread. As it turned out, by finding the slot and lifting while turning the nut, the bolt would still "cam" out of the slot axially. I thought if I keep working on this, I'm gonna end up removing the toilet to repair my repair. Now the new caps are held on there by gravity.

Thanks for the help, Guys. I always come here first.

John

 

[Shimon]

That link from Kendall69 was very good. I'll have to bookmark that one.

 

[kenmac]

Now the new caps are held on there by gravity.

Thanks for the help, Guys. I always come here first.


sometimes those caps will come off when the wife (or you ) are cleaning up in that area.

Just apply a small amount clear silcone to those plastic caps & they won't go anywhere

 

[coffeeman]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Seems like you use my theory. "If it ain't broke, take it apart and fix it anyway."

Cheers....Coffeeman
.
.

Well, that little project became a lot of trouble. My wife wanted to replace the broken plastic caps over the bolts. The aftermarket replacements were too big which required changing the plastic bases under the nuts as well. The nuts would loosen until they reached the hacksawed section of thread. As it turned out, by finding the slot and lifting while turning the nut, the bolt would still "cam" out of the slot axially. I thought if I keep working on this, I'm gonna end up removing the toilet to repair my repair. Now the new caps are held on there by gravity.

Thanks for the help, Guys. I always come here first.

John