Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - flange bolt woes (Merged Posts)

A disabled friend lives in a mobile home. Her toilet was rocking when she sat down. I check the flange bolts and they were quite loose. The first one tightened up without a problem. However, the second one was completely loose at it's base and came right out of the floor. How can I fix this?????

The only way to fix this is to take the toilet up. This way you can check the holes on the toilet flange to see if they are intact. The bolt may have just broken/rusted off. If the hole(s) in the flange are broken, you can get what is called a Superflange that will go over the old flange and bolts to the floor. If it is just a bad bolt you can replace it at this time. Good luck.

Thanks for your response. I am thinking that it must be the flange bolt hole as the bolt head is intact. As you no doubt can tell I am not a plumber. But my friend is on a very limited budget and cannot really afford new parts much less a plumber to install them. I have pulled toilets in the past so that should be no problem. When I look down in the bolt hole I can see where the bolt head was and it doesn't appear to be compromised so I am still a bit puzzled. Is there anyway to ascertain exactly what we are dealing with before pulling the toilet and thereby making a new wax ring necessary? Lastly, is there anything special to know about the installation in a mobile home vs. a regular home?
Thanks again,
Lea

Flange bolts for toilets have an oblong head on them. There is no way that the bolt could come out if the head is still on it. I have seen toilets that have a lag type bolt that just screws into the floor and has a nut on top to hold the toilet down. These are the only two ways I know of the connect the toilet to the floor or flange. Mobile homes usually have the same set-up for installation as a stick built house.

Yep, it has an oblong head. From what I know about the flange the oblong head fits into a suitably sized opening then slides into a smaller groove that prevents it from coming out. Could this has either worked itself free or been improperly installed initially? She says she had the toilet replaced about 3 years ago.
Lea

It could have been installed wrong, but it would not have tightened up properly from the beginning. Hope it is not a broken flange bolt hole. They do sell what is called a "superflange" that slips over the top of the original flange and gets bolted to the floor through the 4 holes provided in the original flange and the superflange. You are still stuck with removing the toilet to find the problem. Sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear.

No, that's ok. I have arranged to pull her toilet this weekend. She has a wax ring so if it was an incorrect installation we are good to go. If not we will go from there. Thanks so much for your help! My father was a plumber and I have sorely missed his input and advice!!!!
God Bless,
Lea