Help removing awkward tap

[Mehul9216]

Hi All

Trying to remove and replace a very awkward tap in the bathroom.

I have cut the pipes, and now am trying to undo a plastic hex screw that seems to be holding the tap in place. I cant seem to get it to turn, and access is awful. I have the hex steel tool etc, and the 12mm one fits on snugly, but it just doesnt want to loosen.

Have tried WD40 etc. I cant get access in with a dremel to cut the steel base plate off from underneath either, all seems to be rusted together, including where the tails enter. Is this what I need to do , i.e. cut the metal rusted base plates ?

Any ideas ?

[Regbuser]

Undo the plastic waste, pull basin and pedestal away from wall, bash st out of the tap connection base, crack basin...

Or as above, but once away from wall and rested on a bench, cut the top of the tap off with a dremel.

[4Q]

Isn’t there an 8mm nut holding the C washer on?

Edit: like this

[Mehul9216]

There is, but its made of plastic, and I cant get enough purchase with a hex bolt etc to make it turn

[gruffgriff]

Regbuser said:

Undo the plastic waste, pull basin and pedestal away from wall, bash st out of the tap connection base, crack basin...

Or as above, but once away from wall and rested on a bench, cut the top of the tap off with a dremel.

looks like it's just silicone squodged to the tiles. Get the flexible bread knife down there!

[4Q]

Mehul9216 said:

There is, but its made of plastic, and I cant get enough purchase with a hex bolt etc to make it turn

Can’t you turn the stud instead of the nut?

[sospan]

Box spanner to undo the nut. Second option put rwo nuts on the threaded bar and a spanner on the inner one.

[Brinyan]

I’ve replaced a few taps where the fixings beneath will not budge, whatever you try to persuade them to do so.
If you have a small angle grinder, use a metal cutting disc & cut the tap off from above, even if cutting small pieces each time & eventually you’ll get it down flush the the top of the basin & the final piece will push through the hole to below.

[Rider007]

Multi-tool with proper cutting blade. Allows you to adjust cutting angle for access in most tight spaces. https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-emt300-qc-300w-... or plenty on ebay.

[Wacky Racer]

Can you post a picture of the tap from above?

Why did you want to replace it?

[no eye deer]

Hard to be sure from the photo but it looks like that could be a spacer tube over the usual threaded stud that screws into the bottom of the tap, with a nut on the bottom.

These studs often rust and seize and snap off when attempting to undo them. No problem if the taps being replaced, not so good if it has to go back on and the stud snaps flush in the tap.

If you cant get enough grip with a box spanner then try a tight mole grip. If the nut is plastic then it will prob break which should allow that spacer bar (if it is indeed a spacer) to drop off the stud and loosen off the c washer.

[Simon_GH]

I’ve loosened rusted tap fittings with a few bit holders linked together attached to a cordless drill. The snap of the instant torque seemed to do the trick. I’m sure there are more sophisticated ‘snake’ extension pieces you could use.

[No ideas for a name]

Mehul9216 said:

You might be able to unscrew the copper tails - which then gives better access to that long black plastic 'tube nut'.
Can you get a six-point socket on that then with undo with a ratchet?

[B'stard Child]

no eye deer said:

Hard to be sure from the photo but it looks like that could be a spacer tube over the usual threaded stud that screws into the bottom of the tap, with a nut on the bottom.

These studs often rust and seize and snap off when attempting to undo them. No problem if the taps being replaced, not so good if it has to go back on and the stud snaps flush in the tap.

If you cant get enough grip with a box spanner then try a tight mole grip. If the nut is plastic then it will prob break which should allow that spacer bar (if it is indeed a spacer) to drop off the stud and loosen off the c washer.

I reckon it originally had a T on the end of it - It's a hollow tube with a brass nut molded in at the end

Either that or the tool they sometimes supply to tighten up the nut was left on the nut after it was overtightened

Anyway - take the screws securing it to the wall - undo the connection to the waste and make your life much easier working on it with the sink on the floor and upside down

[andyxxx]

As stated – it’s a 5 minute job to remove the sink – it’s not even bolted to the wall.

[NRG1976]

Just melt the plastic nut using a soldering iron and ensure plenty of ventilation!

[Austin_Metro]

Have you fixed it OP?

[Pheo]

That looks to me like someone left the original installation tool in place if you ask me - can you pull it down and off perchance?

[Mehul9216]

Austin_Metro said:

Have you fixed it OP?

Hiya - Not yet, this fantastic thread has given me lots of ideas. So now just thinking about how to get the sink off the wall.

BTW - How do I undo the drain pipe ?

[WyrleyD]

Mehul9216 said:

Austin_Metro said:

Have you fixed it OP?

Hiya - Not yet, this fantastic thread has given me lots of ideas. So now just thinking about how to get the sink off the wall.

BTW - How do I undo the drain pipe ?

Just unscrew the large white knurled connector.