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Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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Posted by fixizin (My Page) on Wed, Nov 11, 09 at 13:03
| I'm replacing all the tank-to-bowl fittings on a classic Kohler two-piece WC, the kind with 3 bolts, not 2. Anyway, it looks like the main conical gasket is held to the outlet tube and bottom of the tank by a big 2-1/2" ring nut...
... now I've done this before, and I know that nut is not torqued down all that tightly, but I can't remember what I MacGyver'd up as a "spanner" for that large of a nut, a nut which has rather tight outer clearance from the I.D. of the gasket...
... just can't recall... brake spring pliers?... 2 wood shims and a C-clamp?... doesn't ring a bell... hmmm...
Help a DIYer out, throw me a bone here, LOL!
Thanks in advance. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| Have you tried channel lock pliers "on end"? That might work - just don't crush the nut. Another question along the same line:
Aside from a basin wrench, is there something that can grab a larger nut in a tight space? I need to reach under a pedestal sink and tighten up a loose Kohler nut that holds the fixture in place. I recall that basin wrench claw is not wide enough. If there were such a thing, I can envision a short, wide channel-lock type with sideways jaws to just reach it and turn it a bit. Thanks. |
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| Have you tried channel lock pliers "on end"? Now THAT is ringing a bell! Normal Channel-Locks have too-beefy jaws, but, IIRC a family member has a pair of "tapered" channel-lock type pliers with much thinner than typical jaws... (wish I knew the proper name and orginal purpose, LOL)... pretty sure that's what I used, back when. Either that, or there's this Koozie soda can collar with HARD INSERT I've been eyeballing for possible "DREMEL-ation"... looks about the right diameter... ;') I'm thinking 2" dia. thin-wall PVC w/ 6 equally spaced notches 'round the perimeter would do it too. Patent claim, lol. Wonder if there's a $2 version of what I need at Ye Olde Plumbing Supply Shoppe? PS: I have a basin/faucet wrench--brilliant design, indispensible! Do I understand you need the same thing, but able latch on to a larger diameter collar? |
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| I've used a set of wooden parallel clamps on end for this type of thing... |
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| Although I don't want to spend over $60, these crow's feet pliers look useful for the rare occasion. Come in a small and large set: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7400-v8-tools-7814.aspx |
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| That conical gasket is loose fit. The giant nut holds a seperate gasket. |
RE: Wrenching big 2-1/2 inch nut on Kohler toilet tank outlet?
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| Regarding the Kohler brass faucet nut below the pedestal sink that I was trying to tighten: I managed to clamp a pair of needle-nose vice grips enough to hold it while I turned the fixture from above. Still, a pain in the butt, but it worked. There should be a long, curved wrench with bent head for that type of thing. |
HUGE nut, tiny torque, lol...
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| Indeed, it's not torqued down that tight at ALL... I just got a NINJA DEATH GRIP™ on it with my fingertips, let out a big "KEE-yah", and backed it right off, LOL. NOW the problem is finding the replacement gasket. Kohler does EVERYTHING different, and the generic parts are rarely the ticket. Thanks all! |
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