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    penmark's Avatar
    penmark Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Oct 21, 2007, 03:58 PM
    Can't loosen locknut under toilet
    Greetings. I am a very non-handyman trying to replace the flush mechanism in my toilet. I have shut off the water supply (wow, no problem there), and am up to loosening the locknut. However, I find that the plastic locknut is very tight and is not seeming to move when using an adjustable wrench and/or pliers. Is there a way to loosen the nut so the wrench/pliers will work? Any answers would make my day.

    Mark
    N0help4u's Avatar
    N0help4u Posts: 19,823, Reputation: 2035
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Oct 21, 2007, 04:05 PM
    Try spraying it with WD 40 or PB blaster
    I don't know if a rachet and socket would work.
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
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    #3

    Oct 21, 2007, 08:10 PM
    I usually tackle stuff like that with my 16'' Channellocks. You can also try turning the internal parts. Even a partial turn could loosen it enough to be able to turn the outside nut then.

    Try cutting it, hammer and chisel, hacksaw, utility knife, Dremel, anything goes.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
     
    #4

    Oct 22, 2007, 05:56 AM
    I find that the plastic locknut is very tight and is not seeming to move when using an adjustable wrench and/or pliers. Is there a way to loosen the nut so the wrench/pliers will work?
    I follow Labmans advice and put a set of channel locks/ pump plers on the nut while holding the ballcock from turning. If that fails I take my mini-hacksaw and make a cut across the nut and peel it off. Good luck, Tom
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
     
    #5

    Oct 22, 2007, 09:01 AM
    Tom and Labman are correct about the Channellocks. Many home owner do not have a wrench large enough for that nut but we all have Channellocks.

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