Replacing the toilet bowl to the floor?

Question

My daughter flushed an easter egg down the toilet. My son did the same thing when he was a kid, so I was prepared. I had to remove the toilet from the floor to snake the toy out, but got it out. I replaced the wax ring, since there wasn't much of one left.
Here's my problem. What I've seen before are two screws that come out of the ground, you put the bowl on the screws, and tighten. This toilet has two screws, but they come out of a round black piece that is screwed to the ground. It looks like you have to put the toilet on at an angle, and then twist about an eighth of a turn so the screws lock in a bit, then tighten. After about an hour I can get one to engage, but not the other. Is there an easier way to do this that I'm not figuring out?
I hope somebody knows what I'm talking about, I don't know if I made ANY sense. Thank you!!!

Answer 1

I would suggest a new longer pair of bolts, that have plastic retainer washers to hold the bolts in place. The bolts slide into the flange, and line up on either side of the center of the flange. Next put your wax ring on, and then position the bowl over the bolts, and slowly lower the bowl into position. Secure the nuts and washers to the bolts, being careful not to tighten too much. You want the bowl to be stationary, but over tightening will break the bowl. Good luck!

Answer 2

I know just what you are talking about (my son flushed an apple down the toilet once). Regarding the screws, go back and check the black collar they come out of, make sure it is perfectly level and the screws are both perfectly straight up and down, then I'm afraid, it's going to just take muscle- send the kids out of room so they don't hear you swear. I've seen these kinds of toilets before and I'm afraid there is no easy way to do it, just good old fashioned guess-work. Also, next time you do this, if you don't want to mess with a wax-ring, there is a rubber gasket thing you can get instead, that is a lot easier and less of a mess. If you are still getting stuck, head to diy.com or a website like that, or go to Lowes or Menards or someplace like that and talk to someone in the plumbing department...they may have a trick or two that I am missing here. Oh..and your daughter...be sure to remind her of this when she is 16 and wants that $500 prom dress!! ;-)


Edit: Why did I get a thumbs-down?

Answer 3

That black ring is a 'flange'. It is made so that you can place the bolts in it, sliding them to where they need to be, and then you can lock them into place, sometimes by simply rotating them, or by tightening a small bolt to the flange, to hold them in place.

THEN you place the toilet, as you would with any installation. Put the wax ring on the bottom of the toilet, and carefully set the toilet in place, lining up the bolts (fixed in place already) with the holes in the toilet base. Then gently press down on the toilet to spread the wax out a bit, and help it seal. Finish off by putting on your washer and nut over the bolt, which is sticking thru the hole in the toilet base. That will secure the toilet to the floor.

Take care to do this evenly, to avoid any 'rocking', or other looseness. You want the toilet to be secure, but do not overtighten the bolts.

Good Luck

Answer 4

If the drain line is plugged or slow draining it could cause this whether or not the wax seal was put on correctly.And even if it was caulked correctly.Also if you pull the toilet again I would make sure the next wax ring has a built in flange it helps it to not get mis positioned when setting the toilet. Also like the last person said make sure its not the tank leaking before going to the trouble of pulling and resetting. Could be something simple like the fill tube has come loose inside the tank and shooting water everywhere

Answer 5

The screws fit into a slot, right? What I do is take the screws and put them in the full lock position already brofre putting the bowl on. with the screws in position I install a new wax ring, and then sit the bowl straight down and have the screws pop through the holes in the bowl, it wouldn't hurt to have another person with you to help guide the bowl.

Answer 6

You don't twist the tollet. You slide the screws in place put the gasket on the bottom of the tollet & set in place.

All tollet screws should attach to the flange. Some slide in from the side & others drop in & slide around,

Good luck & the next time try a shop vac to suck it out.

Answer 7

You need to go a plumbing supply house and ask for toilet bolts with longer ears so they can catch when turning. I had the same problem and I made a pair but you have know how to solder and have a little knowledge of plumbing to do this. I would suggest going to the supply house first. Good luck.

Answer 8

those bolts can be a real pain to get in if you are trying to do this by yourself.. get some help to line up the screws while you hold the toilet...