how to fix a rocking toilet

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If your toilet seat is loose, then you need to tighten it. The seat is usually attached to the toilet bowl with bolts and nuts. Use a screwdriver to tighten these bolts, and you should be able to solve the problem. If your seat is more seriously damaged, then you may consider buying a new toilet seat.

1
Find the screws and pry up the cover. The back of your toilet seat is usually connected to the toilet with two long screws that run through the porcelain at the back of the bowl. The screws are secured by two nuts underneath. In the front of the cover, look for a small groove that is designed to help you pry up the cover. Then, use a small screwdriver to pry up both the seat and the cover.^[1]
- In cheap toilets, the screws are made of plastic. Most toilets, however, use steel screws, and more expensive models may even use brass or stainless steel.^[2] Be especially careful with plastic screws!
2

Center the toilet seat on the toilet. If the seat is loose, then it may wobble back and forth, in and out of alignment with the rim of the toilet bowl. Straighten out the seat so that it rests evenly atop the bowl. Consider sitting down to test it out for comfort.^[3]

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3
Tighten the bolt. Turn the screwdriver clockwise to tighten. Remember: "righty tighty, lefty loosey." There's usually a nut with a wing attached to prevent the nut from turning. If there isn't, hold the nut with a rag while you tighten the bolt.
- Decide which screwdriver is the best fit. Make sure that the screwdriver head is big enough to fit into the notches of the bolt head. If the screwdriver is too small, then the bolt will not turn. The friction from the slipping screwdriver will quickly wear down the bolt and make it unusable.
4
Apply tension. If the bolt keeps turning without tightening up, clamp the nut underneath with a small pair of pliers. Clamp onto the end of the nut, and hold it steady as you screw the bolt. Once you have twisted the bolt several times, the wing on the nut should prevent it from turning anymore.
- To loosen the nut, spray it with WD 40 and wait 5 minutes.
5

Keep screwing until the seat is tight. When the bolt feels tight, give it one more quarter rotation so it's extra secure. Once the seat does not wobble back and forth, push down the lid. It should click closed.

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1

Consider buying a new toilet seat. If the bolts are damaged or the toilet seat is still loose after you tried tightening it, then you may just want to replace the individual pieces but leave the seat intact. If the body of the seat itself is in poor shape, however, then you may just want to swap it out for the sake of longevity. Look for toilet seats at a local hardware or home-and-garden store.
2
Know which type of seat you need. There are two standard commercial toilet seat shapes: round and elongated. The round seats are perfectly round, while the "elongated" seats are oblong and egg-shaped. Buy the seat that matches your bowl.
- Try to find a seat made by the same company that manufactured your toilet to fit it perfectly. Off-brand seats may well do the trick, but they may not fit quite as precisely.
- Keep in mind that plastic toilet seats are easier to sanitize than wooden seats, and they hold their color for longer.
3
Install the new seat. You will need to unscrew the old seat, set it aside, and then tighten the new seat onto the bowl. Make sure that the new seat is aligned straight onto the toilet!
- Save the bolts and nuts from the old seat in case you need to replace a bolt on your new seat.
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Question

My seat was designed to close slowly. Now, 5 years later, it just slams down. Can I fix it without replacing it?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

No, you'll need to replace it. Toilet seats do wear out. Fortunately, it's an easy replacement.
Question

The nut I need to screw in is in an awkward place and I can't get good leverage. How can I tighten it?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

First, clamp the nut with vice grips. Then, turn it on top with your screwdriver to tighten it.
Question

What size deep-pocket wrench should I use?

This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You should use either a 9/16 or 1/2 inch deep-pocket wrench to fix a loose toilet seat.
Question

I have an 'off the floor' toilet, which doesn't give access to the underside. Any ideas?

It may be held by top-fixing bolts. These may be held in place by a small grub screw at rear of the silver fixing (tiny and difficult to see). You will need to unscrew these first.
Question

I have a wobbly toilet seat, but the seat is placed on with two l-shaped bolts (with Allen key access) that is too difficult to remove. How can I fix the loose seat?

You could get a set of allen keys and have someone else try to tighten the seat. If you'd rather 'jerry-rig' a solution, you could try adding some rubber washers (making a cut in them so you can get them around the bolts) or squirting something around the bolts that will harden as it dries, like caulk or glue.
Question

I'm trying to tighten a bolt on my toilet and it won't tighten. It just keeps turning.

There is a nut that holds the screw where it protrudes beneath the toilet lid. Use a pair of pliers to clamp this nut while you tighten the screw. This should provide enough tension to make the bolt tight!
Question

I bought a toilet seat with plastic bolts and screwed it on as tight as it can go. After a few months, it's moving. How can I fix this without replacing the seat?

Buy some new bolts that are made out of metal at your local hardware store and replace the plastic bolts. Take the plastic ones with you to measure for the right size.
Question

How can I keep the seat from sliding to one side?

Tighten the bolts that hold the seat to the bowl; they are loose. It's a simple fix.
Question

If I tighten the screw too tightly, can I break the toilet?

I never have and I tighten the toilet seats I install with an impact driver.
Question

What do I do if the holes for my toilet are too big for the screws?

You can buy plastic plugs from your local hardware store. You may need to gently hammer the plugs in place. Take the screws with you to find the best fit.

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If you have a broken bolt already, you can buy generic plastic ones at the hardware store.
Be sure you have a place that is made to pry up. Most are in the front, a few have little twist locks and are recognized by notches on the covers.
If you just want to replace the seat completely, remember that there are only two types of toilet seats: round and elongated. Look at the front of the toilet is it round or egg shaped (elongated). The box should clearly state which one it is.

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Things You'll Need

Large screwdriver
Small screwdriver
Small pair of pliers

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Article SummaryX

To fix a loose toilet seat, locate the screws that hold the seat on. These are usually at the back of the toilet seat. If the seat or bolts are damaged, you may need to go to the hardware store to replace these parts. If they look fine, pry up the cover that is over the screws and loosen the screws so you can center the toilet seat over the toilet. After it is centered, turn your screwdriver clockwise to tighten the bolt into place. Then, simply replace the cover and your job is done. For tips from our Handyman reviewer on how to install a new toilet seat, scroll down.

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