Help in Fixing Cracked Toilet Water Line Nut

[tntbream2]

Found an issue when un-winterizing our Rockwood MiniLite trailer. The nut that secures the water line onto the back of our toilet is cracked. Occured either when I winterized the camper and removed the nut or when I was un-winterizing the camper today and trying to connect the water line back up.

Trying to resolve two problems.

1. How do I remove that metal band securing the nut onto the intake water line? I tried using a dremel but the grinder disk I am using doesn;t seem to want to go through that metal band to easily. Note that the water oine coming in is slightly flexible (not the hard pex line).

2. Where would I fine a replacement nut that I can use to connect the water line to the toilet?

Wife is in a tizzy at the moment as we are supposed to head out on our first camping trip of the season this coming Thursday. Trying my best to get everything together by then.

Thanks for any assistance you all can offer.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by tntbream2

Found an issue when un-winterizing our Rockwood MiniLite trailer. The nut that secures the water line onto the back of our toilet is cracked. Occured either when I winterized the camper and removed the nut or when I was un-winterizing the camper today and trying to connect the water line back up.

Trying to resolve two problems.

1. How do I remove that metal band securing the nut onto the intake water line? I tried using a dremel but the grinder disk I am using doesn;t seem to want to go through that metal band to easily. Note that the water oine coming in is slightly flexible (not the hard pex line).

2. Where would I fine a replacement nut that I can use to connect the water line to the toilet?

Wife is in a tizzy at the moment as we are supposed to head out on our first camping trip of the season this coming Thursday. Trying my best to get everything together by then.

Thanks for any assistance you all can offer.

Don’t bother trying to cut the clamp. Just cut the hose back an inch or so. Take the nut to any hardware store and ask the clerk for a new one. It will come as an assembly with the nut and a small brass tube section to stick in the hose. Just use a small automotive style clamp to reinstall. Hand tighten the nut to the toilet.

Good luck

[D W]

You need one of these to get the clamp off:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Automobil...0?from=/search

If you have a sharp pair of dikes you can also use them to remove the clamp,

You best bet is to replace the fitting with a shark-bite type which are available Home Depot or Lowes.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by D W

You need one of these to get the clamp off:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Automobil...0?from=/search

If you have a sharp pair of dikes you can also use them to remove the clamp,

You best bet is to replace the fitting with a shark-bite type which are available Home Depot or Lowes.

Shark bite doesn’t work on hose.

[D W]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

Shark bite doesn’t work on hose.

Maybe they don't work for you, but they work just fine for me.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by D W

You need one of these to get the clamp off:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Automobil...0?from=/search

If you have a sharp pair of dikes you can also use them to remove the clamp,

You best bet is to replace the fitting with a shark-bite type which are available Home Depot or Lowes.

The pliers in the link are for oetiker clamps. Not pex clamps as pictured in the OP.

Don’t over complicate this. Cut the hose and be done with it.

Unless the OP wants to go buy a bunch or tools he doesn’t need

[Mokurt]

An automotive hose clamp should work.

[MGD1961]

Originally Posted by D W

Maybe they don't work for you, but they work just fine for me.

Do you just stick a flexible hose in a shark bite? I googled the hell out of it and I can’t find a single soul putting a sharkbite fitting on the end of a hose. Please show us.

[NJKris]

I don't know what kind of 'grinding wheel' you are using, but a cut-off wheel on a dremel will go through that like a hot knife through butter. I cut a bunch of those clamps off leaky fittings using the Dremel. I have to be very careful with a light tough going through the clamp, lest you go straight through the clamp, hose, and fitting.

[GolfingDave]

Good time to throw on a shut off valve while you are working on it.
Splice it in a little further up the line.

[Willhound]

Originally Posted by MGD1961

Don’t bother trying to cut the clamp. Just cut the hose back an inch or so. Take the nut to any hardware store and ask the clerk for a new one. It will come as an assembly with the nut and a small brass tube section to stick in the hose. Just use a small automotive style clamp to reinstall. Hand tighten the nut to the toilet.

Good luck

X2
Just be sure to check you have enough slack and cut tight to the tail end of the fitting. If not enough slack, the other suggestions for cutting the clamp will work, but I've even used diagonal plier/cutters or tin snips. And when you go shopping be sure to get a "swivel nut" fitting that can turn after attaching to the hose. You could use a solid fitting in a pinch by attaching to toilet first and then attaching hose, but then I'd get the swivel fitting after your trip.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

Good time to throw on a shut off valve while you are working on it.
Splice it in a little further up the line.

This would give you a little more slack too if you decide to cut the fitting off. Doesn't look like they gave much play, same as mine.

[tntbream2]

Thanks everyone...I was able to get the crimp ring off by using one vise grips to hold the ring and another vice grips to twist the crimp. Found the nut piece at Home Depot. We are all back together now with no leaks and prepped to hit the road for our first camping trip of 2024. Heading to Delaware Seashore State Park on Thursday!

There was no play whatsoeer in the length of the hose that I had to work with, so couldn't just cut off the old crimp. Unfortunately, I didn't see the comment about putting in a shutoff valve until after I had already reassembled everything. I like that idea. That hose goes through the wall right where my outside kitchen is so this weekend I may explore a bit there to see if I could add a shutoff in that area just in case we might need it in the future.

Thanks again for all the assistance.

[NJKris]

Thanks for reporting back with the solution, safe travels!

[Willhound]

Happy to hear it worked, enjoy your trip.
I wouldn't beat yourself up about the shut-off. Not a bad idea, but I'd guess that 95% of the units out there don't have one unless the owner added it. It would just save you from having to shut the entire water system down should you have to work on the toilet, but it's an RV, not a house, not quite as elaborate an ordeal.

[G37x]

I have never removed that nut to winterize just push flush lever and let antifreeze run into black tank

[JimM2109S]

Late to the party due to a camping trip... FWIW, those PEX clamps CAN be removed without cutting the crimp. Look on the clamp for a small tab that extends from the inner band thru a slot on the outer band and is slightly bent over. Straighten out that tab, then pry the outer band away from the inner band. The clamp will loosen and can be completely pried away. Had to do this twice before buying a crimp tool that had a cutting feature (that doesn't work well with clamp proximity to the fitting).

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I don't know what kind of 'grinding wheel' you are using, but a cut-off wheel on a dremel will go through that like a hot knife through butter. I cut a bunch of those clamps off leaky fittings using the Dremel. I have to be very careful with a light tough going through the clamp, lest you go straight through the clamp, hose, and fitting.

That is why using a pair of side cutters or diagonal cutters is the safest way to remove the clamp for all concerned. Any hardware store will have the required replacement fitting and an automotive hose clamp works great.

Bob

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by tntbream2

Thanks everyone...I was able to get the crimp ring off by using one vise grips to hold the ring and another vice grips to twist the crimp. Found the nut piece at Home Depot. We are all back together now with no leaks and prepped to hit the road for our first camping trip of 2024. Heading to Delaware Seashore State Park on Thursday!

There was no play whatsoeer in the length of the hose that I had to work with, so couldn't just cut off the old crimp. Unfortunately, I didn't see the comment about putting in a shutoff valve until after I had already reassembled everything. I like that idea. That hose goes through the wall right where my outside kitchen is so this weekend I may explore a bit there to see if I could add a shutoff in that area just in case we might need it in the future.

Thanks again for all the assistance.

Glad you have the issue resolved.

Here is my approach to the water system management at the toilet.

Bob

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

That is why using a pair of side cutters or diagonal cutters is the safest way to remove the clamp for all concerned. Any hardware store will have the required replacement fitting and an automotive hose clamp works great.

Bob

I tried using dikes as I read this online, to no avail. Just lots of cursing. Tried cutting the 'bump' in the crimp. Didn't work for me. The Dremel came out and turned all that cursing to smiles!