Detaching Toilet Seat Fittings

martindow

The fixings have become loose, but after taking the seat off, I'm having trouble lifting the metal covers to get at the screws to tighten the fixings. As it is a bit loose I can get a screwdriver under it, but the metal cover seems to be thin and stuck to the plastic piece inside. It just lifts as a whole.

I'm worried about applying too much force for fear of damaging the porcelain. Has anyone got any tips on how to free it? Could I unscrew the plastic piece from the bottom?

I could get replacement parts, but I would still need to get the existing ones off, even if this involved destroying them.

FreeBear

A photo would help.

Most seat fixings use a bolt through the rear of the pan. You'll usually find a wing nut or similar - Often a pain to get to, and precious little space to swing a spanner or wrench.

Eldi_Dos

@martindow , you ask if you can unscrew the plastic bit from the bottom, that would be the best way to do it if the bolts and nuts are still free.

Once you get them free and loose, you can then give them a clean and light grease then reassemble.

If you have thin longnose pliers they might help

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82032637#Comment_82032637

Yes for a photo but make sure it's a clean one please

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82032637#Comment_82032637

If they are wing nuts, I think the idea is that you can tighten and unscrew them with your fingers, although they tend to get a bit rusty and stuck after a while.

I think sometimes they are just normal nuts, and a small plastic thing is supplied so you can screw them on and off in a tight space.

martindow

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82032684#Comment_82032684

Thanks all. Underneath is something plastic, but it doesn't seem to be a wingnut. I'll try to send a photo.

martindow

A few (clean) photos. Sorry the view from below is a bit blurry.

silvercar

With the seat up, press the button in the middle and the seat and lid will lift off.

That should make it easier to lift the metal caps off. If they are stuck to the white pan, some dental floss may help.
Once you manage to remove the caps, you should be able to tighten using the plastic bits underneath. My seat came with a piece of plastic that you slot over the 2 posts, it’s designed to keep the distance between the posts correct, so that the seat and lid then fit back on to the posts.

silvercar

if all else fails, new toilet seats come with fittings and cost from about £30. To remove the old one use a hack saw sliding it underneath the fittings that you can’t remove.

Alderbank

Looks like a plastic wingnut to me.

Eldi_Dos

Agree with the above , with that type of fitting it looks like tightening is done from above once you remove the chrome caps.