I have a very old toilet that has started leaking around the tank bolts.
A quick examination revealed a rusted mass under the bowl, the bolts and
wing nuts have become one. Everything else is fine. Can you recommend
a way to remove these bolts so I can install new bolts (and a new bowl
to tank gasket). I little experience from the experts may well save me a lot of time (and possibly a cracked tank).

Thanks,
Jim

 

Hello: Jim

Encountered this same problem years ago. Used the non professional method. If there is a professionals method....?

It worked. May work for you too.

Drained the tank dry. Used a small piece of hacksaw blade to file out the slots in the tank holding screws heads inside the tank. Also used plenty of liquid wrench on screw head and wing nuts.

Once the slots where cleared out, used a large blade screw driver to hold the screws in place, while truning the wingnuts with a pliers. Problem did occur. Worked on one bolt and screw but not the other.

The other one got hacksawed into two. Used only the blade in hand. Once contorted myself to the angle needed, hacksawing begin. Not an easy task nor a pretty picture......but it worked....

May help you to do likewise. Try it.

While awaiting another reply.

Must be a professionals better method....

"My Two Cents"

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