How to get the stinking nut off when trying to replace a toilet seat?

Question

Yes, another apartment question! The toilet seat was broken when we moved into this apartment, but they're cheap so we just got another one. The problem is, the plastic nut holding the old one on feels like an elephant must have screwed it in. I thought you were supposed to do that with your fingers, but apparently an elephant is what the last tenants used. Would a wrench be ok to use on a plastic nut? And could we just ask the landlord to do it? Three of us worked on it for over half an hour yesterday, and we're kinda fed up. Thanks, everyone!

Answer 1

The wrost a rench would do is strip the plastic nut. If that happens you can go to a hardware store and get another one for a buck or two. Or just have the landlord do it. up to you./ good luck

Answer 2

use a flamethrower

Answer 3

The raised part of the plastic nut will flex with a wrench. Use pliers or channel-locks to grip it. Personally, I would drill through the bolt from the top.

Answer 4

Use a pair of pliers to get it off... most likely whoever put it on might have cross threaded it... you can get replacements for as little as 2 bucks..might as well get new ones anyway.

Answer 5

Yep a wrench will do it if it is a standard 4, 6 or 8 sided nut but they should be held on with a wing nut. If the wrench is not successful a pair of multi grips or pliers will also do the trick.

Anyway, being where it is it will not be easy to get at and the new seat should come with new hold downs so if that is the case get a hack saw and cut the "Stinking" thing off.

If you can't fit a hacksaw or don't have one you can use a scerated edge bread knife as the plastic is generally fairly soft.

Be careful not to cut yourself, where gloves.

Good luck

Answer 6

yes you can use a wrench BUT be very careful not to squeeze it too hard you will break it off. from the top  of the seat where it fits onto the toilet,  spray  the s***w and bolt  with DW-40 and let it sit a couple of hours ,overnight is better. hope this helps.

Answer 7

brake it off .  plyers or chisle hammer

Answer 8

Wow and it is plastic?? If it were metal I would try WD-40. Otherwise the only thing I can suggest is pouring hot boiling water over it and try to make the plastic expand/decrease and maybe it will let the gunk loose from the threads. Also, you could try to get the landlord up there with a fine-bit drill. It may be that the thing has to be drilled out in order to release it.

Answer 9

I have always used a wrench to hold the plastic nut and a a big screwdriver to unscrew the bolt. Be sure to use the widest screwdriver you have otherwise you will have problems getting it out. If the screwdriver is not wide enough it will just turn in the slot and damage it making it harder to get out.

Answer 10

Use a pair of rubber cleaning gloves to get a better grip on it, I had to do that to replace a toilet seat on more than one occasion.  If that doesn't work, use a wrench and have an extra set of plastic nuts, because they will probably break.