How to tighten faucet nut

sybaris

Today I had to replace a kitchen faucet.

The faucet is of the single hole design and has a threaded shank that passes through the top of the counter behind the sink. A nut goes on the shank and secures the faucet to the counter when tightened.

The problem is that the wall behind the sink and the sink itself provides very little room to get a tool up there to tighten the nut. I tried a "plumbers" wrench but the thickness of the jaws wouldn't permit a grip on the nut.

Any ideas on how to tighten this bad boy much appreciated.

jbs11

By "plumber's wrench", do you mean a basin wrench, like this:


or a pipe wrench, like this:


If the former, that is the correct tool. Maybe someone else will chime in with a suggestions of what works when that doesn't.

joecaption

Is it a brass hex nut or a plastic one with the ears on it.
If it's plastic one of these may work.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...E2CC7&first=46

Sometimes I've had to remove the sink to get to the nut.

sybaris

Thanks for the responses.


I tried a wrench like the first one. No way I could get a pipe wrench close to it.

The nut is brass, no ears on it. If it had ears on it I could get a pin or flathead on an ear and tap it with a mallet to tighten. I don't even think removing the sink is an option because it is an under counter mount which means I would have to break the seal, remove the garbage disposal and all the other plumbing and also the center support for the doors.

joecaption

Lay up in there and take a picture. Easyer to figure out how to do it if we can see it.

Alan

Does it look like this one?

http://0.tqn.com/d/plumbing/1/0/i/5/...ten_faucet.jpg

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sybaris

See attached

thanks

Attached Thumbnails

 

Fairview

If you could find a " crows foot " that size it may work or you may be able to modify a router collet wrench to fit.

I was hoping the plumbing industry was nearing the end of their rope in the stupidity department but I guess not.

TheEplumber

If a special wrench didn't come with the faucet, then it's "necessity is the mother of invention"

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mterry

I have had the exact same deal in my kitchen. Single stem, deep sink bowls, little access. I managed to get a basin wrench on it and tighten it, but moving the spout from side to side is loosening it right back up. Poor design I guess, I learned my lesson haha next time I get a 3 hole faucet haha

joecaption

Judging by that picture there's more then enough room for a bason wrench.
Just may take two hands because the nuts so thin. One to turn the wrench, one to hold up the hook until you start turning it.