View Full Version : What tool for this job? A plumber should know....
On an older Maytag clothes washer, the hot water hose connector is badly rusted and I need to get it off. They cleverly recessed the threaded connectors in the back, so I need a tool to unscrew and replace the hoses. I can get some channel locks on it but there's no room to turn the pliers, and the rusty connector won't budge.
The washer back isn't removable, the exterior metal is a complete surround. One might remove the control panel and top but that could open a can of worms.
The hose end OD is ~ 1 1/8 inch. I might be able to jam a socket on there but there isn't much to grab onto, and I don't have that size socket here. I don't have any left hand dies that big or any sort of female easy out tool.
I could try heating it slightly with a torch but the female threads are plastic. I've tried tapping it counter clockwise with a chisel but no go yet. I could try both....
There has to be a tool that I can insert over the hose end connector and unscrew it. Any ideas?
93043
Okay, I'm finding tools like this but most are about 1/2 inch diameter circle which might not be large enough or heavy enough for the 1 1/2 inch hose connector. Hmmm.
https://www.amazon.com/Deals-Tools-Hardware/b/?ie=UTF8&node=760330&ref_=sv_hg_2
93044
Look at the tool that is made to tighten/loosen faucet nuts underneath sinks.
If you can grab the small center piece (red arrow) to unscrew it and you don?t have to get to the nut part (blue arrow) a pair of vice grips might work.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230221/7ddab194eb304616beb71e2c0d2724dc.jpg
HBARleatherneck
02-21-2023, 15:50
Some sort of basin wrench. There are small plastic ones.
If you can grab the small center piece (red arrow) to unscrew it and you don?t have to get to the nut part (blue arrow) a pair of vice grips might work.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230221/7ddab194eb304616beb71e2c0d2724dc.jpg
The small center just turns and can't be unscrewed. But, I was able to break it off of the female hose end.
I'm using some larger channel locks and sprayed it with wd40. Might try heating it a little and see if I can start a fire.
Some sort of basin wrench. There are small plastic ones.
I have several basin wrenches but all too large.
Not sure plastic would be strong enough but will look for o.
they make easy outs larger enough, so maybe one of them would bite and get it turned for ya.
Look at the tool that is made to tighten/loosen faucet nuts underneath sinks.
I have a couple but they're hex and too small.
they make easy outs larger enough, so maybe one of them would bite and get it turned for ya.
It would have to grab from the outside. Do they make something like that?
Well, made a little progress. Got the other hose off which allows about 1/4 inch straight-on turn with the channel locks, if it weren't so locked on. I applied a little heat and the pliers grab with a good amount of force, but still stubborn.
I might need to find some sort of frog snot penetrating lube.
93045
Remove the other hose first and make some room. Then the channel licks may have a chance.
Also try vise grips. Locke them down and use something on the body for turning leverage
Remove the other hose first and make some room. Then the channel licks may have a chance.
Also try vise grips. Locke them down and use something on the body for turning leverage
Missed the last pic. That is plastic. Don?t heat. It will be ugly.
93045
Please tell me that isn?t how your grabbing it with the channel locks. That fitting should be standard, right hand threads. If you?re grabbing it like the picture you?re basically running the pliers backwards and aren?t taking advantage of the direction of the teeth for a solid bite.
Ray1970 did it with the vice grips suggestion. Initially, the vice grips wouldn't fit, but with the other hose out of the way, the vice grips grabbed and the crescent wrench broke it loose, 3/8 inch at a time. Still couldn't get enough power with the channel locks for it to turn. But came off it did! Yea!
Thanks, fellas, for all of your ideas! It pushed me through with dogged perseverance.
This saves the washer, made in the USA, April 1979. I received it in 2004, from a tenant I evicted for not paying rent. 44 years old, never repaired by me, and still in use!
93046
The Maytag repairman would be proud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7z6AKPGDZ4
Now, about the 58 year water heater we're still using....
Remove the other hose first and make some room. Then the channel licks may have a chance.
Also try vise grips. Locke them down and use something on the body for turning leverage
Yes, that's how it worked!
Please tell me that isn?t how your grabbing it with the channel locks. That fitting should be standard, right hand threads. If you?re grabbing it like the picture you?re basically running the pliers backwards and aren?t taking advantage of the direction of the teeth for a solid bite.
No, I know that's backwards--just illustrating, it had to be grabbed straight on. Still not enough power.
No, I know that's backwards--just illustrating, it had to be grabbed straight on. Still not enough power.
Thanks. I was hoping the picture was just for illustration purposes. My OCD when I see people using tools improperly makes me irrationally upset.
Anyhow, glad you got it apart. Funny how those simple little projects can bite you in the butt when you run into problems.
buffalobo
02-21-2023, 22:17
Use spray bottle or rag soaked with CLR or similar product on future corroded plumb threads. Let soak overnight if time allows.
If you're unarmed, you are a victim.
BushMasterBoy
02-22-2023, 00:49
Replace with stainless braided hoses. Just my $.02
Damn, son - just how old IS that dinosaur? We had an ancient Maytag for years and the hose connections weren't THAT bad! And the back panel should have been removable, never saw one that wasn't.
Damn, son - just how old IS that dinosaur? We had an ancient Maytag for years and the hose connections weren't THAT bad! And the back panel should have been removable, never saw one that wasn't.
Yeah, these Maytags were mfg in 1979, and no, no removable back panel on this. I had a GE washer l could get into from the back.
I don't know how the hose connector could have gotten so rusty when the other one didn't. Maybe there was more iron than copper in the brass. But I was really flummoxed about how to get the fitting off.
Back in '93 when we built the Palisade home the wife's folks gave us some pink Maytags they bought in the early '60s. They worked another 8 years until washer died. 40 years service. Dryers last forever, I've never had one quit except for a replaceable belt.
beast556
02-22-2023, 11:27
Glad you got it off, stuff in tight spots is always a pain in the ass to get off. I have been a solid channel lock guy for the last 22 years of doing maintenance, love made in usa tools.
With that said I got a gift card for menards like 6 months back and didn't know what to buy and got the 7in and 10in knipex cobras. They are a game changer they lock on and just dont let go and the heads are much smaller and can fit in to spots channel locks just cant fit in to. From the pict you posted pretty sure you would of been able to get the knipex pliers on and would of been able to spin that off. Just a thought for next time you getone of those situations.
eddiememphis
02-22-2023, 11:42
...got the 7in and 10in knipex cobras. They are a game changer they lock on and just dont let go
Knipex are badass. Expensive but they work.
beast556
02-22-2023, 11:58
I have been very very impressed with them. Wish I would have gotten the set many years ago. I see Harbor Freight Doyle brand has a knock-off set that seem to get real good reviews from YouTube trades guys.
Replace with stainless braided hoses. Just my $.02
Ordered and arriving tomorrow.
Glad you got it off, stuff in tight spots is always a pain in the ass to get off. I have been a solid channel lock guy for the last 22 years of doing maintenance, love made in usa tools.
With that said I got a gift card for menards like 6 months back and didn't know what to buy and got the 7in and 10in knipex cobras. They are a game changer they lock on and just dont let go and the heads are much smaller and can fit in to spots channel locks just cant fit in to. From the pict you posted pretty sure you would of been able to get the knipex pliers on and would of been able to spin that off. Just a thought for next time you getone of those situations.
Knipex are badass. Expensive but they work.
Those look really nifty, will probably get some 10 inch. I noticed there are many bad reviews with photos by Amazon buyers of the jaws or handles breaking. I'm inclined to think that Amazon is selling Chinese knock-offs.
Lately, I have much more confidence in eBay vendors on price, service and authenticity.
Ordered and arriving tomorrow.
Those look really nifty, will probably get some 10 inch. I noticed there are many bad reviews with photos by Amazon buyers of the jaws or handles breaking. I'm inclined to think that Amazon is selling Chinese knock-offs.
Lately, I have much more confidence in eBay vendors on price, service and authenticity.
Yeah Amazon to me is a crap shoot lately. I started looking for non Amazon distributors but they are hard to find now.
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buffalobo
02-22-2023, 18:19
I have been very very impressed with them. Wish I would have gotten the set many years ago. I see Harbor Freight Doyle brand has a knock-off set that seem to get real good reviews from YouTube trades guys.I have the Irwin brand version, handy tool.
If you're unarmed, you are a victim.
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