Replacing fill valve on a troilet with TOTO washlet

[canyonsky]

Hi there,

We tried to replace a fill valve on TOTO Drake II with a TOTO C100 washlet and found it very difficult to screw the metal nut to the plastic fill valve. The space is tight, the T junction valve is also in the way for a wrench to properly maneuver. In addition, we can only use fingers to tighten the metal nut for a little bit before it stops turning.

But when we use a basin wrench to tighten the nut, the other person has to use another wrench to hold the fill valve inside the tank to prevent the fill valve from turning. We worried using so much might to tighten the nut would ruin the thread. TOTO tech support said we can definitely use wrench, but couldn't provide further help to address our issue.

Should we continue to tighten the nut or try something else? We think we can remove the nut and try it outside the tank. If it doesn't fit, then it's fill valve problem.

Considering the tight space and the T junction valve, if anyone has experience with the similar situation, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks you!

Iris

 

[SHEPLMBR]

Please post pictures

 

[canyonsky]

Sorry, photo from below are posted to the original post. Also we had to use a wrench to unscrew the metal nut all the way to begin with. From above the toilet, the T valve used to be at 90 degree, but now it looks like this picture. Is it possible the thread in the metal nut is damaged?

 

[phishfood]

Assembling metal to plastic threads can be a VERY difficult operation, particularly with straight threads in a tight spot, such as you are dealing with. In my experience, it is not defective threads on the metal nut that is causing the problem, but improper alignment of the inner and outer thread patterns.

 

[canyonsky]

Thank you so much!! You made us feel better that we're not idiots like TOTO tech support implied. The bottom line is we plan to disassemble the tank, if we can't make it lying on the floor. Lesson's learned -- need 2 feet clearance for having a washlet