So true! Having a socket that fits the bottom nut, and/or a smaller crescent wrench might help. Absolute worst case (be ready for water splash), take the whole toilet out, bowl and tank together, then they can be separated. I once lived in a place where the toilet space was so tight, a heavier person probably couldn't get in there to sit down. I feel your pain.
Brilliant advice that works like a charm. I struggled with rusted bolts for an hour or more before looking for a video. After watching, the bolts were removed in less than 10 mins. Thank you!
You sir have ritcial logical thinking, but most younger people today do not. So they will spend $100 s on a plumber. Not critcial logical thinking, can be costly. Thank You for the tip,
You saved me today my man! I was at my sister-in-law’s house and her guest toilet was broken and she had next to no tools AND it was Easter so nothing was open. The channel locks did the trick! Thank you so much for the idea!
I have done this for other bolts that were stuck in other scenarios, Didn't even think to apply it to this one until I saw you point it out, Sometimes when there is too much going on, and, it takes away from your basic thought process... thank you, thank you, thank you..
As a Toolmaker I gotta say good video because this works on so many different types of frozen/rusted bolts. This trick was taught to me when I was an apprentice 27 years ago lol, thank you for putting it out there for everyone.
This is the best, easy and quick solution! I've tried other like sawing, etc. Took me a long time, and it was unsuccessful. With your help, I was done in less than 10 minutes. Thank you very much!
Good video. But I found an easier way. As soon as I touched the nut on the bolt, the outside just disintegrated into rust, so this well made video just didn't help. The inside of the nut stayed frozen onto the bolt. So I got a good Dremel, used a cutoff disc - (actually 3 of them) and cut the head off of the bolt inside the tank. Then I just pushed the rest through to the floor, installed the new bolt, washers and nuts and called it a day. Total time - 15 minutes.
I've spent days tried to get a rusted bolt out, and spent about $100 on various tools. Zero luck. So I will be trying this tomorrow. But truthfully, I'm not understanding what's happening here. Can the same thing be accomplished with just one bolt on the end and without the second bolt and washer, or are they somehow imperative to the procedure? Thx.
I have a frozen nut but the screw is part of the handle so I can't use this great technique. I've worn the nut smooth trying to get it off. Looks like a hack saw may be in order. For now I pull the chain myself. ha
I tried your technique…. Absolutely wonderful. It worked easily. (I had sprayed some Knock’er Loose on the bolt and nut, which may have helped). Thank you very much for posting your video!
Thank you sir. This method saved me alot of time and appreciate you sharing this. I was trying wd40 and heating up that nut under the toilet nothing because it kept spinning. 😅
I hear you. Everything is harder when it's a tight space, and in the worst case, the two choices might be to remove the whole toilet first, or cut the bolt with a hacksaw. But before running to that, it's worth seeing if you can fit a small pliers to grab the wing nut, and maybe use a ratcheting socket wrench on the bottom nut.
Oh no! The only time this happened to me was when I didn't put the washer between the nuts. Maybe you could try a pliers or wrench on the bottom nut, and unscrew it? After that, the other nut should come off, and at that point, you could saw?
Very thankful for this video! Had some stuck toilet seat nuts and no room to manoeuvre. But managed to take this method and apply it to my situation, worked a treat. Thank you!
Glad it worked for you. It's lucky that the seat bolts were long enough. Nowadays, I just use cheap plastic seat bolts, which never corrode. I don't feel bad about plastic, because if seat bolts break, nothing leaks.
that is fine if you can get a bolt on the shaft of the screw if the screw is long, however if the toilet is old more than likely they will have used shorter screws! Nice video either way!
Thank you thank you thank you. You are the only one that had a solution other than destroying the seat. I cant destroy this seat because it is a raised seat for handicapped. Brilliant!!
I've never seen plastic used for tank bolts - maybe metal is needed for enough strength to create a waterright seal with the heavy tank? But I suppose the same trick might work. If you mean the seat bolts, I haven't seen those seize up in the same way, since they can't corrode. Usually, I can put a screwdriver (or a coin, for that matter) in the slot of the bolt, hold the nut underneath by hand, and turn the bolt.
The double nut and washer trick 100% worked for me after HOURS of frustration! Thank you! I had to go out and buy a 1/2" crescent wrench as my adjustable wrench had too much play in the jaws and kept slipping. You don't appreciate how much work a toilet does for you until it stops working.
Or perhaps trials are sent by the Lord to strengthen us? I'm with you on not giving up, though. The difference between average and master is only about 10% more persistence.
Glad to hear that. What I need is somebody to make a snappy TikTok about this tip. I don't care about getting credit, but I'm old school, and only do RU-vid.
What works for me is spraying a bit of break free mil spec CLP into the bolt. Wait a few mins and spray some more. Maybe get into the threads at the nut with a wire brush. Then it usually comes off real easy.
Vice grips worked on one side but the other side was more stubborn. Sprayed some "Nut Blaster" on the bad side and gave it a few minutes to soak in, worked then. Thanks for the video
Hey, whatever works! Glad the vice grip and penetrating oil did it for you. That may be a better solution in the general case. Toilet bolts are long, allowing this technique, but most bolts don't have extra length.
Wow, I've never seen that happen, not after just a few months. Tank bolts are usually brass or stainless. I've seen the floor bolts corrode, but those were steel bolts, when there were young boys in the house (they miss and get it all over the floor).
