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ryahdog · Feb 10, 2008, 06:54 PM

This seems like such a simple problem, but it turns out to be harder then I thought.
I have a plastic flange which has two bolts in place already, in a concrete floor. The flange is at the same level as my ceramic tile.

The issue I'm having is the bolts are a bit to short, yes I know replace them, but I cannot remove them. They are not located in the slip slots, they are in a fixed slot but it doesn’t seem like the can slide out. Yes weird right?

Is there a way to extend the screws with out removing them? If not maybe I can cut them and let them drop and try to slide new ones in?

I am open to suggestions. Please help.
:confused:

hkstroud · Feb 10, 2008, 07:14 PM

If by fixed slot you mean the slots that are cuts from the edge of the flange, you may have to chip out a little bit of tile. If you mean the slots that are kind if circular around the flange and are about 2" long, then move the bolt to the end where the opening is bigger. Remove the wax you will see.

massplumber2008 · Feb 10, 2008, 07:17 PM

Your toilet bowl may have been set with johhni screws instead of johnni bolts ryahdog. Try unscrewing with a pair of pliers.

If not screw and therefore bolts.. then clear the "slip slots" of all debris using screwdriver and wiggle aggressively... they will come out.

Last resort, hold with pliers and cut off with a sawzall.

Let me know how it goes. If this helped please RATE THIS ANSWER by clicking on button below. Thank you.

ballengerb1 · Feb 10, 2008, 07:19 PM

I think MASS has an good idea here. Grab the bolt with a vise grip and turn it counterclockwise, bet it unscews from the sub floor below the flange. Harold guess is plausible because the slot plugs with wax but I think you would still be able to wiggle the bolt in this case.

ryahdog · Feb 10, 2008, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

The fixed slot has a big opening at the other end. Remove the wax and you will see.

Hi it seens that the bolt is below that, could this be the case? Or maybe the tile or concrete is blocking the slot?

I tried to dig out some grout and slide the bolt out with no luck.

If we really think it should come out, ill give it another shot.

Thanks
Al

KISS · Feb 10, 2008, 09:21 PM

There are anchors that use studs rather than female threads. The more you tighten them, the tighter they get. Could these have been used?

hkstroud · Feb 10, 2008, 10:23 PM

Could we have a picture please, wax removed.

ballengerb1 · Feb 11, 2008, 08:58 AM

Yep, picture would be nice. Do your mounting bolts wiggle?

ryahdog · Feb 12, 2008, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Yep, picture would be nice. Do your mounting bolts wiggle??

Yes they wiggle, I cannot see the bottom of the bolt though... there is no wax on the flange really.

I won't be able to give it another shot till tomorrow night Wed. So ill try to update then.

It seems they should come out.

I keep you posted

ballengerb1 · Feb 12, 2008, 12:06 PM

Does it look like this? Installing A New Toilet See the elongated slot that is bigger at one end? That's where most bolts are placed and they wiggle until you set the toilet. The other option is to use a different hole and screw them directly into the syb floor, different knid of boltthough.

ryahdog · Feb 13, 2008, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Does it look like this? Installing A New Toilet See the elongated slot that is bigger at one end? Thats where most bolts are placed and they wiggle until you set the toilet. The other option is to use a different hole and screw them directly into the syb floor, different knid of boltthough.

Ok this one is solved. It seemed it was how I suspected. The bolts were actually under the black piece of flange then the white piece was on top of it so I could not get them out.

I cut the bolts and pushed them in. Then I slid the new bolts in the slot...

Works great now. Thanks for all the advice.

ballengerb1 · Feb 14, 2008, 07:41 AM

Sounds like maybe a PVC spacer to fill in for a low mounted flange. Glad you got it solved.

12string · Mar 31, 2009, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by massplumber2008

Your toilet bowl may have been set with johhni screws instead of johnni bolts ryahdog. Try unscrewing with a pair of pliers.

If not screw and therefore bolts..then clear the "slip slots" of all debris using screwdriver and wiggle aggressively...they will come out.

Last resort, hold with pliers and cut off with a sawzall.

Let me know how it goes. If this helped please RATE THIS ANSWER by clicking on button below. Thank you.

I am new to site and I wanted to rate your answer that was suggested. So that's why I am here. I just wanted to say thanks for the idea of "Try unscrewing with a pair of pliers." I had something like this issue with short flange bolts and was ready to cut them off with my dremel tool when I found your suggestion and tried the pliers instead. I was able to raise the bolts enough to go on with installing a new toilet and now the job is done. So Thanks for the suggestion!!

massplumber2008 · Mar 31, 2009, 04:54 AM

Welcome to the site! Thank you for acknowledging our help... I appreciate it!

MARK