I was using my toilet this morning and leaned forward and the back of the toilet lifted. I put my hand behind and felt around to find the bolt that attached it to the floor of the raised compartment and when I found the bolt and tried tightening it it only spins. I can't find the access to get into the compartment the toilet sits on top of. Does anyone know how I can access the compartment to tighten or replace the rear bolt?
1989 Grand Villa side hall.
OH OH. Had the same thing happen to me last summer.
What you have is a black floor flange that is glued to the top inside of your black water tank inlet pipe.
On our coach the black plastic flange broke. It is slotted to take the bolt heads and keep the bolts from turning while you tighten the nuts.
Most likely your bolt heads are extremely rusted and might have broken off.
Only permanent remedy is to take the toilet off, inspect the flange, and if the flange is NOT broken then just buy a bolt kit, flange, and floor seal from your RV dealer.
If your black plastic flange is toast you will have to replace it. This is a REAL PITA. I did mine by using a "keyhole hacksaw" and making several vertical cuts in several places around the inside of the broken floor flange. Then I used a screwdriver in the saw slots to break the adhesive and the floor flange loose. Do NOT cut into the outer pipe that is fastened to the black tank!!
Oh, also make sure your black tank and the black pipe going down to the tank from the toilet are clean, clean, clean. Minimizes odor. Have a tennis ball handy (it fits in the hole if you put a rag around it. Keeps you from dropping tools or bolts down into the tank. Don't ask how I know) If you get to the point where there aren't any nuts holding the toilet in place--lift the base STRAIGHT UP!! This might keep any broken bolts or pieces of plastic from disappearing down the poop chute.
The whole process is not difficult but takes time.
You most likely won't be able to remove the remaining retainer nuts unless you can get a vice grip pliers on the visible threads and hold the bolt from turning while removing the nuts. If not you will most likely break the floor flange if it is not already broken (and it sounds to me like it is).
When you go to install the toilet on the new flange you install the bolts first, then set the toilet over the bolt threads.
Kenny,
The rear nut is accessed by popping out the round plug on the toilet top under the seat, lift the seat and you should see a round plug on the right side. Pry that out then a 1/2 inch deep socket on a 12 inch extension to reach down in there. The bottom of the retaining bolt is a flat "T" shape that slides into a slot on the black mounting plate.
Problem is he already found the bolt---and it turns freely, so not "just loose".
Remove the other bolt. Lift the toilet up and grip the bolt with vise grips .
Guess it would help if we knew what brand and model we are talking about.
What I have is a Sealand Traveler 500 Plus series fine china toilet.
On my 92 u 300 I have access in my wet bay just this side of the black tank.
Thetford Aqua-Magic Galaxy/Starlight
This seems like a lot bigger job than it should be. The bolt is not lined up with the hole in the back and there isn't enough space at the front bolt to put vice grips on them.
What is the purpose of the wood box under the toilet. Is it just to have the heater vent?
Ive had mine out a couple of times. You remove the plastic covers and unscrew the bolts for me. Not a big deal but the rear needed some patience .
I got both the lids off but the plastic cover that has the tabs for the seat pins doesn't come loose unless there are clips or bolts I can't see.
I lifted the rear high enough and found this piece of broken plastic under the toilet.
Here is a picture of the toilet with the seat removed.
Kenny,
That black plastic piece is a part the flange ring. You will see it once you get the toilet out. That is what the mounting bolts go through to secure the commode to the floor. It will look something like this: The Home Depot Logo (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-Twist-N-Set-4-in-PVC-Open-Toilet-Flange-436512/100062268)
Mike
Mike do you know how to remove the toilet. Ive been trying for a few hours now and I dont understand how I'm supposed to loosen the nut behind the flush pedal. This is very frustrating...I mean...its a toilet!!
Kenny,
That is the same commode that we had in our U-240 and I had it out a couple of times to replace the flush valve assembly. BUT that was back in the '95 time frame and Doctors have burnt up those brain cells, so no help with that.
Mike
I use a gear wrench and push the pedal down and it has been a long time since I removed those toilets but think that the nut is 1/2 inch.
If you can get one bolt out and remove the water hose, it's possible to rotate the whole toilet clockwise to release the right side bolt or anti clockwise for the left bolt. The bolts are in a slot with a flat T shaped flat on the bolt bottom.
Try looking through these instructions for help maybe?