How to loosen a stuck bolt

Our toilet tank is leaking at the bolt underneath but when we try to turn the bold and large screw they only turn together and we are not able to remove it in order to replace it so the leak would stop.  We have tried to tighten but it still leaks.  I have tried to use silicone on the bolt but so far it has not helped.


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34 thumbs up

That bolt under the tank is likely to have a rubber seal around the top, screw side, inside the tank. You must drain all water out of tank BEFORE you remove the bolt or your gonna have a lot of water on your floor. After you drain the tank completely use a screwdriver to hold the bolt from inside the tank to prevent turning while someone else is turning the bolt from under the tank. As long as the tank is drained anyway, if you can't keep the screw/bolt from turning inside the tank with a screwdriver, use a plyers to hold it from turning at the top. Take the old screw bolt to a hardware store and but a new one for only a few dollars. Once that screw-bolt has been loosened, even a little bit, it breaks the waterproof seal and cannot be re-used. Replace is the correct fix. After you screw the new one in place, place a "bubble level" at top of tank to make sure it's level. Be careful when tightening new screw-bolt. If you over tighten it, you could break or crack the tank. Looking at the screw from inside the tank, you should see that bolt head expand and seal just enough to prevent water from leaking from tank.


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
In reply to lstet's question
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We have already drained it and used a screwdriver and it will not budge.  I can try plyers but there is not much to grip on the screw since it does have a only a slightly rounded head and the washer is underneath it.  I have tried to cut away the washer but it is in there tight and it will not tear easily.


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
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34 thumbs up

I am assuming that that screw bolt is plastic. The plastic is tough. A knife won't work cause the screw bolt is somewhat thick. You have to try to cut that plastic bolt at the point where it ataches to the bottom of the tank. I would try to use a saw and cut the bolt off where it touches the bottom of the tank. A hack saw would work best. If the room is too small for the saw, remove the hack saw blade from the saw and use it by its self. Any type of saw would likely work well, The tank is strong enough but I'd try to keep the blade from scraping against the tank too much. 


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
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No the screw and bolt are not plastic.


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
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34 thumbs up

The best way to remove it, plastic or metal is cutting it off with a hack saw from below the tank. If you have a "vice grip" to clamp on to the screw part inside the tank. Vice grips gave a lot more grab than pliers. Do you have a vice grip?


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
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No we don't in fact our tools are limited since neither one of us are mechanically inclined.  I also have a hard time getting to the bolt underneath since our toilet is very close to our sink and cabinet.  I tried it again last night but with the plyers and they will not grab onto the screw.  I am not sure what has happened to the bolt that it will not turn much either way.  I was hoping with numerous attempts at spraying the area around the bolt with silicone it would have helped. 


Posted 6 months ago ( permalink )
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