Need to remove cistern from wall but ....

[histman]

I am trying to remove a toilet cistern from the wall as the siphon is not working and I need to replace it (and some other parts).

It's a close coupled system.

Unfortunately the two screws securing it to the wall are badly corroded and I can't get any purchase on them. There's not really enough room to get at them with a drill.

What's the best way to release these screw?

Photo below:

Cistern screw corroded 2

• histman
• 31 Oct 2010
• 1

TIA

 

[Nige F]

Cut a slot in the head with - ideally a dremel - or a hacksaw blade. Butcher them off with a 4 inch grinder Having first butchered the syphon to get it out the way

 

[histman]

Thanks for the advice.

Hacksawed a groove in the top of the screws and eventually got them out!

 

[TicklyT]

Replace with stainless or brass screws and washers - Stainless shouldn't corrode so much - and brass is soft enough to tear apart using 'alternative means' if you can't get a screwdriver on them next time.

 

[JohnD]

best of all I think are stainless Coach Screws. They are just screws with a hex head you can turn with a spanner. M4 x 40mm should do the job nicely. If you just need a few ebay is a good source.

to reduce the rsk of cracking the china cistern, have a wide stainless steel washer (a "penny washer") under the head of the screw, bearing on a thick rubber washer such as a bath tap washer against the china.

 

[PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN]

Damn, the last 41 years I have been smashing the cistern with a lump hammer to remove the screws.........