Closet flange slots are uniform width

[Michael Klein]

I need to replace a toilet in my house built around 1935. The closet flange appears to be brass, and bolt slots are a uniform width along their length, which unfortunately is narrower than the heads of the bolts that currently are in place, OR either dimension of the T-head bolts that came with the toilet. Any ideas for removal of the old ones and inserting the new ones? The old bolts are brass, and a bit dinged up so I'd like to replace them rather than try to force the new nuts and take a chance on cross-threading them and having a real nightmare.

 

[Reach4]

How close? I would be thinking grinder.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Michael Klein]

to widen the slot at one end? That might work. I'm curious why/how this type of flange was supposed to work. I guess they must have installed the flange with the bolts already in it and assumed that they would never need replacing????

 

[Reach4]

to widen the slot at one end? That might work. I'm curious why/how this type of flange was supposed to work. I guess they must have installed the flange with the bolts already in it and assumed that they would never need replacing????

I was thinking of narrowing the t-head , and then turn the bolt 90 degrees.

Working on the slot sounds maybe better. How about a drill to widen a place?

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

Its probably a Brass flange with the bolts pre inserted then placed around the lead bend.. After the flange is secured, they then lightly hammered the lead over the brass flange. You could get a thread chaser / die and just fix the threads a lot easier and faster than replacing. Then add a nut and washer to secure the bolt to the flange which will tell you whether your threads are good or bad