| wmquan |
I am trying to replace the flush valve on a toilet.
With the tank off the seat, and upside down, and looking at the bottom of the tank, the flush valve goes through the hole on the bottom. After removing a gasket, the bottom of the flush valve is exposed.
However, the valve is held to the bottom of the tank with a plastic screw-on ring approximately 3.5"-4" wide. The ring is approximately a quarter inch high and is hexagonal in shape. The valve bottom protrudes an inch above the ring, and is threaded to screw the ring on.
I can't loosen the ring. It's on extremely tight, and none of my wrenches have a jaw that wide to grip around the ring. I looked on the websites of Lowe's and Home Depot and didn't see an obvious answer. The strap wrench looked interesting, but I'm not sure that with the ring less than a quarter inch high, would the strap be able to grip the edges.
Short of just trying to melt a notch into it, I was hoping that the very handy people on system would have a solution that I'm overlooking. I bet plumbers have a trick or a doodad that an amateur like myself can't see or doesn't have.
Thank you in advance.
I apologize for the lack of a photo but didn't think to snap a shot while I had the toilet disassembled. I had to put it back into place so it could return to doody. :D |
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| nightguy |
You need a spud wrench to unscrew the spud from the valve bottom. The Home Depot site says they're internet only. I'd call the store in case they have them.
Be careful when you put it back. Don't torque too much or you'll be buying a whole new toilet.
One way to improvise would be with this huge adjustable pliers I borrow from the mechanic next door to push my pistons back into the calipers. The end would certainly be long enough but I'm not sure if the whole tool would be flush enough. Trying to think of another tool.... |
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| nightguy |
| Ah-ha. Pulled out the Home Depot "Home Improvement 1-2-3" book. Somebody gave me this about 5 years ago and I laughed, but there's a ton of info in here. These things should be handed out at home closings. |
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| komondor |
I just picked up a large pair of slipjoint pliers lots of uses. They were about 20 bucks
Wayne |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
Ah-ha. Pulled out the Home Depot "Home Improvement 1-2-3" book.
nightguy,
Thank you so much for your quick and thorough response! It's really helpful! I'll call up Home Depot and see if they have one.
I think I'm going to add that book to the Xmas shopping list. I have "The Complete Illustrated Guide To Everything Sold In Hardware Stores and Garden Centers," but it didn't have this info.
komondor,
Thanks for the input! The challenge has been finding a pair of slipjoint pliers with enough clearance, though I'm sure they're out there. |
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| komondor |
| I picket up mine at home depot. Old girlfriend had a toilet that wa sleaking i replaced everything but that and it was still leaking so I replced that and it took care of it. There is enough clearance just don't sqeeze the nut as you can deform it pretty easily. |
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