Good Plumbing Tool For This Faucet Nut?

[Gila Monster]

Plumbing is not really my thing, so I may be going at this wrong, but I have a 3 hole bathroom faucet (Kohler) and this large hold down nut that secures the handle/cartridge assembly is just really tough to get at. I have a basin wrench and the area is too tight around it, around a half inch in certain spots. In the past on other sinks I've been able to get a these.

I tried a needle nose vise grip, it just doesn't seem to work. I also have that Rigid tool that is a long red plastic handle, and it doesn't fit either.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Michael_in_DE]

Wow. Good luck with that one.I might cut the end off a box end wrench to get the twelve point action in an open end application. And I wouldn't bet on that idea either.

Your only other idea would be to cut up one of those huge plumbing sockets, and slice it lengthwise like an o2 socket.

 

[ChaseDE]

Did the new faucet not come with the weird little plastic wrench doo-hikey you can put on there and turn the nut?

 

[Michael_in_DE]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BPASAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXPT0EC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Michael_in_DE]

cut box end:

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a special tube wrench for them, it is made by ridged (the pipe wrench people)
Check with a rental company.

 

[signcrafter]

You need something like this that will fit that nut, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-2...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJmWjr23oNcCFQULPwodlboDtw. It uses a 3/8" extension and ratchet.

What are you trying to do? Take the faucet out or tighten it?

 

[The Cobbler]

sometimes it's easier to just remove the sink to get at the faucet

 

[Michael_in_DE]

You need something like this that will fit that nut, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-2...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJmWjr23oNcCFQULPwodlboDtw. It uses a 3/8" extension and ratchet.

What are you trying to do? Take the faucet out or tighten it?

That's not gonna work on the nut he has. That husky socket is for the winged nuts.

 

[cdeer001]

I have a special tube wrench for them, it is made by ridged (the pipe wrench people)
Check with a rental company.

Google "Ridgid 2006 Faucet & Sink Installer"

 

[davethorik]

Flare nut crows foot?

 

[Michael_in_DE]

 

[Git]

This should do the trick
Ridgid 66807 Faucet and Sink Installer Model 2006

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015BEHYS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Gila Monster]

This should do the trick
Ridgid 66807 Faucet and Sink Installer Model 2006

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015BEHYS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have that, unfortunately it doesn't fit.

 

[Gila Monster]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BPASAQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXPT0EC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The first set might work, I saw those and thought it might be worth a shot.

On the 2nd suggestion, I have an O2 sensor socket and unfortunately it's way too small. But that is the basic design of what I need.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

The first set might work, I saw those and thought it might be worth a shot.

On the 2nd suggestion, I have an O2 sensor socket and unfortunately it's way too small. But that is the basic design of what I need.

Thats what I'm saying. Buy that first set, (they sell them locally...for me anyway). And get the grinder out.

 

[Eslader]

If the Rigid tool doesn't fit, why not try a pair of needle nosed locking pliers. Clamp 'em down really tight at the shallowest angle you can, then tap on the handle with a box wrench to work the nut loose.

 

[DadsTools]

Some form of pressed steel socket like the Amazon-referenced set should do the trick. Can't see the other end of the copper line so don't know if it will fit over--may have to cut a slot in the socket.

I might also try a cut box end wrench, but a deep offset kind. I have enough of them laying around so it wouldn't hurt me to trash one. Shouldn't take much torque to loosen it. Depending on the room to operate around it, might even try a ground cold chisel with small hammer and start tapping in the proper direction near a point on the nut.

These are the kinds of encounters where I wish I could meet the Einstein who designed the device, take him in a back room somewhere and close the door behind us. A traditional plumbing tool like a 14" pipe wrench might be good to bring along for demonstration.

 

[Git]

I am really surprised that Ridgid doesn't fit. Have tried to determine what the size of the nut actually is?

I would suggest a basin wrench - but I am not sure there is enough of the nut to grab or there is enough room to fit it in there

What's holding the sink in - just caulk or plumber's putty? It may be easier to just carefully pull the whole sink...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4ZF0HA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Michael_in_DE]

If the Rigid tool doesn't fit, why not try a pair of needle nosed locking pliers. Clamp 'em down really tight at the shallowest angle you can, then tap on the handle with a box wrench to work the nut loose.

He specifically said he tried locking needle nose pliers. Doesn't work.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I am really surprised that Ridgid doesn't fit. Have tried to determine what the size of the nut actually is?

I would suggest a basin wrench - but I am not sure there is enough of the nut to grab or there is enough room to fit it in there

What's holding the sink in - just caulk or plumber's putty? It may be easier to just carefully pull the whole sink...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D4ZF0HA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

He specifically said he tried a basin wrench. Doesn't work.

 

[Eslader]

He specifically said he tried locking needle nose pliers. Doesn't work.

But he didn't specifically say why, which is why I made the comment. Just tightening them down and then yanking on them probably won't work, but taping on the handle with a wrench will essentially give you a light impact wrench, which might work.

 

[kb1982]

Hammer and punch time as long as the new faucet comes with a new nut.

 

[ChaseDE]

nevermind.

 

[catron44]

Flare nut crows foot?

This is what I'm thinking too

 

[Gila Monster]

Something like a flare nut, crowfoot wrench would work. It's just a REALLy big nut, approximate 1.75". I have a set of crowfoot wrenches, but nothing that big.

Might have to price that out.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[FMC1959]

I agree with Cobbler, I gave up on all these specialty wrenches years ago. Often the faucet you are taking out has corrosion around the nut and very difficult to get sufficient torque and grip required.

I take out the sink, makes removing the old one much easier. Also you can be sure the new one is properly tightened, no wiggly faucet 3 months down the road. Last thing is you can clean up the silicone or plumbers putty around the sink and make a nice new seal.

 

[DieselNut88]

You can't get some channel locks in there? It looks tight but not that bad. I have worked on sinks with less room than that. How about a chisel and a hammer to spin the nut.

 

[LXCam]

I recently had the same issue for a tiled over inset sink. Nothing flipping fit and I couldn't get anything up there. So I took a piece of 1-1/4" tubing about 12" long and cut the reliefs in it then used a pair of channel locks. Worked like a champ, so I now keep it with my plumbing tools.