Rusty nuts

[Jever]

Morning all,

The tap on my bathroom sink has been leaking and dripping for some time, so I've decided I need to replace it.

Having bought the new tap, I thought I would be able to swap old for new with the sink still in place. That didn't work out, as I couldn't find a way to undo the nut that holds the tap in place.

Having taken out the sink and pedestal, I flipped the sink over to find the brass nut covered in rust (see photo attached). It's going to be very difficult to remove the tap from the sink. Fundamentally, I think I have two problems:

1) The nut is very likely to unscrew over the rusty thread
2) Because of the shape of the sink, none of the tools I have (tried footprints and adjustable spanner) can engage with the nut in a way that will enable me to unscrew it.

I think the easiest solution is to leave the nut exactly where it is on the thread and try to unscrew the thead from the bottom of the tap. That means I still need a tool that will properly engage with the nut and give me some leverage.

Can anyone here recommend the right tool?

Thanks in advance

Jever

 

[dilalio]

Soak it in a penetrating lubricant and go and get yourself a box spanner set.

Minotaur Box Spanner Set

Working in tight spaces isn’t a problem with this box spanner set from Minotaur. The set includes three double-ended box spanners, giving you six popular sizes from 8-13mm.The traditional tubular spanner design is popular among the plumbing or automotive industries, along with any other work...

www.toolstation.com

 

[polesapart]

or https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-monoblock-tap-spanner-set-3-pieces/40102

 

[dilalio]

or https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-monoblock-tap-spanner-set-3-pieces/40102

And... Wherever there's a Toolstation, there's a screwfix

 

[Jever]

Thank you both, I've sprayed it up with WD40 - that should do the trick, shouldn't it?

 

[dilalio]

Maybe, maybe not.
Small wire brush on the threads helps.
You might be able to rotate the mixer ccw and it will undo off of the threaded rod.

 

[Jever]

Ooh, nice idea, didn't think of that.

Thanks

 

[Jever]

Got the box spanners (Toolstation), tap now off.

Thanks for your help.

 

[dilalio]

Got the box spanners (Toolstation), tap now off.

Thanks for your help.

Wait until you need to remove 40 year old bathtaps that's next to a toilet!