5/16 in. x 3-1/2 in. Heavy Duty Toilet Bowl-to-Floor Bolt Set

Had a toilet leak and found out it needed a flange spacer because the toilet was too level with the floor and the seal had been compromised. The spacer didn't come with new bolts so I went with these. They are long enough to be helpful in lining up and mounting the toilet, but the first one I tried to snap off wouldn't budge and I didn't feel comfortable with the clunky pliers next to the toilet bowl so I still wound up using a hacksaw to make ridges so they would break away easier. It only took a couple strokes to pop them off and they do the job.

A very convenient set of hardware when one has to reset a toilet bowl. The order of assembly is shown on the package, (See photograph 1.) and at the Installation Guide linked to the Home Depot product listing. Most importantly it includes the T-head bolts that are compatible with the keyhole slots in most toilet flanges. (See photograph 2.) A (nylon appearing) retention washer can be forced over each bolt to retain them upright in the flange until the bowl is lowered over the bolts. This makes the bolts behave like studs - and eliminates my old trick of taping the bolts so they would remain upright and not drop out. The necessary hardware to finish the connection also is included. (See photograph 3.) A great convenience is the reduced sections (at various heights) which allow one to shorten the bolts - so the commode trim caps will fit despite various thicknesses of floor finishes. See those roll-reduced areas on photograph 4. The nicety of these is that one needn't file and restore threads to make the nuts free running. I don't bother to pre-fit the bolts and cut them ahead of time. I just install them, pre-tighten them and nip them off with a small bolt cutter that clears most installations. I find using the bolt cutter a lot less effort than clamping the bolts and "worrying" them off. It does not risk marring the threads, and the unthreaded length of the bolt shanks accommodate the bolt cutter jaws. Obviously one can tighten the bolt at any distance along its length as seen on photograph 5. If I sought to improve this product, I'd request it in stainless steel. The zinc chromate finished steel is stronger than old brass closet bolts, but remains subject to corrosion in service. Even though drain piping is plastic (insulated) I feel that water vapor favors a subfloor cavity that experiences reduced temperature because of thermal conduction by standing/flowing water, porcelain mass and floor finish mass. In that regard I believe stainless hardware may last longer - or at least be easier to undo when that time comes.

These Toilet Bowl to Floor Flange Bolts have some features that I like, and some that I don’t. They are 5/16 inch thick which is stronger than the other option of 1/4 inch. They are 3-1/2 inches long which is plenty long for any toilet that I have ever installed. They are "Snap-Off" design that means they have three areas (1-5/8, 2-1/4, or 2-7/8 inches) where the bolt’s threads have been reduced in diameter (See Photo) allowing you to bend it back and forth a few times and break the extra threaded portion off without the use of a hacksaw or cutting tool. Cutting off the extra thread is required if you want the plastic cap to sit down all the way to cover the connection. Snapping off the extra thread is much easier than cutting with a hacksaw because you normally are working in a confined space making use of a saw difficult. I had no difficulty threading the nut right passed the snap off areas (See Photo). I didn’t like that the bolts, nuts, and washers were made from steel with a thin brass plating. Steel, even with the brass plating, will eventually rust and corrode, making removal years later a difficult task requiring cutting the bolts off. I prefer to use solid brass bolts, washers, and nuts on all my toilets. They are just easier to remove, and often reuse years later. The kit comes with 2 bolts, 2 nuts, 2 plastic captive washers, and 2 metal washers (See Photo). The captive plastic washers are used to keep the bolts upright when lowering the toilet down onto the sewer line flange.

There are a few things that must really be in The HandyManiacs tool box at all time ... and this is one of those. A toilet that is not seated properly is not only uncomfortable, but a septic and water problem ... and the "fix" is so simple. Replace the blots holding the fixture in place and the problem is solved almost every time. Sure, the toilet might actually be broken, but that's not our experience. It's usually a stripped bolt and these are so easy to use for replacement, that we don't even bother using the old ones.

Internet #312258757 Model #1000055110 Store SKU #1005135655 5/16 in. x 3-1/2 in. Heavy Duty Toilet Bowl-to-Floor Bolt Set We have a house guest who needs extra strength bolts. I chose these because they are nearly twice the diameter as the old ones I am replacing. I set the new bolt next to the old one to get the correct lenght. See photos. If you are doing a new install just install the bolts, you can snap off the extra length thanks to its unique design. I cut my bolts off to show that the smooth shoulder will allow you to install the nut without having to grind or file down the end. See photos. MANUFACTURER'S COMMENTS: 5/16 in. x 3-1/2 in. closet bolts Snap-off design: snap off 1-5/8', 2-1/4' or 2-7/8" Includes (2) bolts, (2) washers and (2) nuts

They are long enough and strong enough in this package they come with the bolts, the plastic locks and the nuts & washers works great

I was able to get the parts that I needed and they fit and did the job.

I needed that longer size than normal ones . It worked pretty well .