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How to remove stuck toilet seat screw?

ljh930

Hi all,

I am trying to get new toilet seat installed and I cannot unscrew that black screw from part of old toilet seat (top fix). I used screwdriver but the screw wouldn't even spin no matter how much pressure I put.

I am thinking of using lubricant and drill bits set and actually drill it out, but is there any other ways I can unscrew before I do this?

Help will be much appreciated.

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @ljh930. It's terrific to have you join us and many thanks for you question on undoing a stuck screw.

You could try some penetrating lubricant like WD-40 first, though with top-fix toilet seat fittings it can sometimes be difficult to get the lubricant down to where it’s actually needed. One thing to be careful of is the fitting itself starting to spin in the hole. If that happens it can make removing the screw even harder.

A good next step is to use a pair of locking pliers (Vice-Grips) attached to the handle of the screwdriver. That effectively gives you a longer lever so you can apply more turning force. While doing this, make sure you keep strong downward pressure on the back of the handle of the screwdriver so it doesn’t jump out of the screw head and strip it.

If that still doesn’t work, you could carefully cut away the plastic surround around the fixing with a https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-300mm-mini-hack-saw_p0191082 . That may expose more of the screw head if it sits slightly proud underneath. You might then be able to grip the screw head directly with the locking pliers and undo it that way without needing to drill it out.

Let me tag @TedBear, @J-P, @Martinez and @Noyade to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

J-P

@ljh930 - Does the screw dont rotate at all? Did you putting downward pressure on it and then turn. If it is stuck due to dust or rust WD-40 would work. If it is spinning in the same spot, i would use a flat tip as a lever to keep it pushing outward while unscrewing it. I will also be cautious not to damage the toilet since that will make it an costly affair.

Noyade

I can see a 'slot' but is it a torx cavity as well? Try a slotted or T20 in a socket wrench for stability and torque. Just a thought @ljh930. Cheers.

MitchellMc

That’s great advice @J-P . The old “lever it upwards while unscrewing” trick has gotten me out of a surprising number of binds over the years as well.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

Interesting thought @Noyade. Looking at the close-up (and a bit of AI-enhancement), it appears to me to be more of a Phillips-style head, but with a very shallow drive recess and those two extra flats cut through it.

Almost looks like some sort of flathead/Phillips combo arrangement.

Mitchell

Noyade

"(and a bit of AI-enhancement)"

Wow! Nicely done @MitchellMc

I sit corrected - not a torx.

ljh930

Hey guys thanks for all your advice @mitchellMC, @Noyade, @J-P

I tried using penetrating oil and it still is not working; only the screwdriver itself is spinning on the spot, not the screw and everytime I try those tiny metal bits come out. Do I need to drill it out?

Noyade

A circlip?

If removed does the black plastic drop away?

R4addZ

Hi @ljh930

You say
I tried using penetrating oil and it still is not working; only the screwdriver itself is spinning on the spot, not the screw and everytime I try those tiny metal bits come out. Do I need to drill it out?

Are we looking at the right screw as the silver one looks more like a screw that has had it's head stripped! Can you post another picture of this after you tried with the penetrating oil. Also have you tried the black screw with a flat blade screwdriver as that shouldn't be able to rotate without the screw undoing!

ljh930

Hi so this is what it looks like. I do not have flathead screwdriver that fits into this hole and I applied penetrating oil and tried again but still doesn't work.

EricL

Hello @ljh930

Just out of curiosity will you be re-using the old toilet seat post? If you are not, I propose twisting or breaking the plastic base and just letting the screw drop inside the interior of the pan. This should then allow you to mount the new toilet seat post.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

MitchellMc

I agree with @EricL there @ljh930. I couldn't see quite clearly enough before, but it appears evident that the screw head is smaller than the hole in the toilet. If the fitting can be pushed in, I would do so. It's quite common for professional installers to go this route, as often these screws will bind up through corrosion and can't be undone.

You could try with a flathead screwdriver, but given you've begun to strip the phillips screw head, it might be stuck fast.

Mitchell

R4addZ

Hi @ljh930

I'm now leaning towards Noyade's theory that there is a circlip in there and that is preventing the screw from turning.

ljh930

Hi,

This feels like hard plastic? I would love to break this one but don't have much equipment with me. Trying now using flathead screwdriver to lift up but it doesn't bend. Which equipment should I use?

Also when I took the other side out there was no circling.. just thr metal anchoring bit?

EricL

Hello @ljh930

The plastic will need to be softened up. If you have access to a heat gun this should allow you to soften up the plastic base. Another option is to use a https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-300mm-mini-hack-saw_p0191082 to cut the side of the plastic.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

MitchellMc

Hi @ljh930,

Just checking in to see whether you were able to remove the old toilet seat fitting and get the new seat installed.

I'd be interested to hear how you ended up tackling it and whether you managed to get it sorted.

If you're still having trouble or have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Mitchell

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