How do I tighten this toilet seat?

umop-apisdn · 15-05-2021 9:30am #1

Hi,

My toilet seat is starting to move a little bit and I want to tighten it, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to access the fixings.

It's a back to wall toilet and there's no access to fittings from underneath the pan. I can't see any grub screws in the chrome fixings or release buttons, so hoping someone can help.

Here's some pics of the fixings.

Thanks

Corkey123 · 16-05-2021 11:41am

I have had a couple of those particular fittings or similar fitting.

I am sorry to say they are tighten via wing nut under the pan. Presumably the seat was installed before it was positioned against the wall. Is there are any scope for pulling the pan away from the wall. Typically there is a bolt each side of the pan to secure it to the floor- if so it might allow some wriggle room assuming qualplex was used in the install. Also the pan looks as though it hasn't been sealed against the wall - so removing the bolts might give you access.

wiz569 · 16-05-2021 2:13pm

Check for a grub screw at the back of the fitting between wall and toilet seat fitting, if there is it may be a small allen screw.

phormium · 16-05-2021 3:07pm

I have one of those, impossible is the answer to mine anyway short of pulling toilet out from wall!

Flinty997 · 16-05-2021 4:05pm

See a lot of toilets these day, even freestanding ones with impossible to access seat fixings.

Why would they make a design like this? Makes no sense.

chooseusername · 16-05-2021 5:21pm

There's no need to get behind the pan or underneath the seat.
Google "toilet seat top-fix fittings".
Now if it is a soft-close seat they are a right pain in the arse!
But the brackets are still basically the same .

Cerco · 16-05-2021 6:19pm

Is there a grub screw on the left side of the left bracket in the photo? Looks like there could be one there or maybe a reflection.

umop-apisdn · 17-05-2021 1:21pm

chooseusername wrote: »

There's no need to get behind the pan or underneath the seat.
Google "toilet seat top-fix fittings".
Now if it is a soft-close seat they are a right pain in the arse!
But the brackets are still basically the same .

I have seen the top-fix videos, but they all seem to have either a release button or concealed screw.
There is nothing on my hinges to loosen or release the seat. I checked the back of the hinge that's against the wall and nothing there either.

I eventually did find an old video on youtube with someone installing a seat using the same hinges and other posters are right - its tightened underneath with a nut, so going to have to pull the whole pan out to tighten it up.

At least i have been able to confirm my suspicions, rather than pulling it out and then realising there was an easier way.

Thanks everyone!

Masala · 17-05-2021 1:26pm

umop-apisdn wrote: »

I have seen the top-fix videos, but they all seem to have either a release button or concealed screw.
There is nothing on my hinges to loosen or release the seat. I checked the back of the hinge that's against the wall and nothing there either.

I eventually did find an old video on youtube with someone installing a seat using the same hinges and other posters are right - its tightened underneath with a nut, so going to have to pull the whole pan out to tighten it up.

At least i have been able to confirm my suspicions, rather than pulling it out and then realising there was an easier way.

Thanks everyone!

Jeezus.... that sounds like a nightmare!

Flinty997 · 17-05-2021 1:36pm

An opportunity to replace it with a top tightening one.

Lenar3556 · 17-05-2021 2:21pm

umop-apisdn wrote: »

I have seen the top-fix videos, but they all seem to have either a release button or concealed screw.
There is nothing on my hinges to loosen or release the seat. I checked the back of the hinge that's against the wall and nothing there either.

I eventually did find an old video on youtube with someone installing a seat using the same hinges and other posters are right - its tightened underneath with a nut, so going to have to pull the whole pan out to tighten it up.

At least i have been able to confirm my suspicions, rather than pulling it out and then realising there was an easier way.

Thanks everyone!

Or cut the thing off and install a top fix variant.

hero25 · 17-05-2021 2:29pm

is there any release button for the toilet seat?
if there is .... remove the seat and you should then be able to prise off the the chrome covers and under there should be the fittings to be tightened.

Corkey123 · 17-05-2021 2:33pm

If you do get the wriggle room to tighten the nut under the pan, place a drop of epoxy glue on the bracket to prevent it moving in the future.

Alternatively as others have suggested get a new top fixing seat

monseiur · 17-05-2021 3:26pm

Before pulling it apart, visit a bathroom store/showroom with a similar toilet on display and have a good look at how it's assembled.

chooseusername · 17-05-2021 5:50pm

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201424819670?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=201424819670&targetid=1141640585971&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007175&poi=&campaignid=12689628172&mkgroupid=118339815297&rlsatarget=pla-1141640585971&abcId=9300529&merchantid=113736133&gclid=CjwKCAjwqIiFBhAHEiwANg9szsustT-8kr_nVp_anTkwnHQysil1jAyFINX9gUwZ21cyfLVfE_CYIBoCsioQAvD_BwE

It looks like these are what you have,
and I think you're right, the nuts are underneath.
You can tighten them up if you pull the seat out,
But if you want to change the hinges to top-fix it'll probably
mean a new hinges and seat.
Good luck.

spuddy4711 · 17-05-2021 6:45pm

Try winding thick twine around the threaded fitting, to make a washer and fill the gap, this may buy you some time before the bigger job

tDw6u1bj · 17-05-2021 8:01pm

If I were you I would 100% leave the toilet where it is, cut off the seat, and replace with a seat with top-down fitting (most these days come with them included).

Think about it going forward, do you really want the hassle of taking the toilet off and redoing fixtures/sealer ever time the seat gets a bit loose?

umop-apisdn · 25-05-2021 12:43pm

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think i will just cut it off and replace eventually. It's only moving a little bit every now and again at the moment, so I might get a little bit longer out of it yet... toilet seats are expensive!

How do I tighten this toilet seat?

Comments