How to remove toilet seat fixing screws?

Question

The toilet I have in my house is manufactured by a company that no longer seems to be in operation. The seat is starting to get old and needs to be replaced - but all of the seats at Bunnings do not appear to be suitable - as the spacings to go over my toilet seat fixing screws are either too wide or too narrow - and my fixing screws seem to be fixed in place - can't be rotated.

The seat screws are not accessible from outside of the toilet - seems you have to remove the toilet to access them.  Apart from replacing the whole toilet (just for a new seat), or getting a plumber in to remove and replace the toilet (seems I can get replacement fixing screws), are there any alternatives available to me?

MitchellMc · Answer

That's very helpful @RightToGo. You need to pop off the chrome cover flanges that I've marked below. That will then reveal any fixing systems that might be present.

A thin-bladed flathead screwdriver should do the job. Be careful when levering upwards not to damage the pan. You might need to work your way around the flange, levering it up evenly so it doesn't snag on the central shaft.

I do see a detent in the shaft as I've marked below. If the flanges do not budge, there is a chance that they are fixed to the shaft. If that is the case, I would hazard a guess that a proprietary tool is used on this detent to screw the fixings in and expand them. Possible solutions would be to see if you can find a spanner that grips onto this flat section, or use multigrips and turn the whole shaft anti-clockwise.

Mitchell

riteoh · Answer

Photos now attached.

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @riteoh,

It would be really helpful for members to provide more specific advice if you could share a couple of photos of the toilet and the fixings you’re dealing with. If you need a hand uploading images, just shout out.

I haven’t come across many toilet seat fixings that need to be accessed from inside the pan. In most cases, where you don't have access at the back of the pan, they’re usually a top-fix system that uses an expanding rubber insert. Tightening the screw expands it and locks it into place from above.

If yours isn’t moving at all, it may be seized or a different style, but photos will help confirm exactly what you’ve got and the best way forward.

Our toilet seats have a great deal of adjustment in the width between the fixings, but it is their fixings themselves that have this adjustment, so we'll need to work out how to remove your current ones to check whether our seats will fit.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell