How can this kind of nut be removed under faucet?

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we5inelgr

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Hi all,

I'm trying to remove an old leaky kitchen faucet for a friend, but I've run into an issue trying to figure out how to get the retaining nuts off from under the sink. Please see attached pics.

The issue is that I'm unable to unscrew these triangular retaining "nuts" because I can't get them to rotate past either the braided water lines, or the stationary metal post that's adjacent.

I thought perhaps the threaded bolts where studs that could simply be unscrewed without having to mess with the retaining nuts, but that doesn't seem to be the case as I couldn't get them to budge.

I then though maybe the top of the faucet needed to be disassembled to get in the inside from the top, but there isn't anything to disassemble on top aside from being able to take the handle off.

Is there a special key or tool that is needed to remove these "triangular" retaining nuts?

Any other ideas beside simply taking a saw to everything underneath?

Thanks!20190728_153059.jpg 20190728_154024.jpg 20190728_154037.jpg
 
I'm not familiar with that faucet, however somewhere, either on or near the front or back of the spout, should be a name.
 
I'm betting it is lowered from the top. Please take a picture of the top side.
 
I have not seen those before but I am certain that loosens from the top.
 
Thank you all very much for the replies, much appreciated!
IMG_6165.jpg IMG_6166.jpg IMG_6168.jpg
Here are some pics of the faucet from the top that my friend sent me. There is no noticeable brand name anywhere. There is only one visible hole that has some sort of screw in it (first pic). We had tried to loosen it using an allen wrench, but the head was stripped already.
Do you think this is where the top is connected to the baseplate above the counter?
I'm thinking of trying to drill that screw out.
Thoughts?
 
My thought would be:

- Take the handle off

-Unscrew the cover that is directly below the handle from the base. The seam where they separate is right above the point where the spout heads to the sink. That cap is what holds all the guts in place. It may not come off easily but should be held in place with threads. Or the cap pops off and there is a nut underneath it.

-You should then be able to remove the spout casting from the base and see what is hiding in there. It is possible there is something else holding that casting in place including a snap ring or that screw at the bottom, but once you get it open you will be able to tell more.

-When you get that casting off I am willing to bet there will be a way to remove the bolts holding the faucet to the counter top. Probably a couple of hexes or hex socket caps.

:good luck:
 
It appeared that there were Square Recess headed screws going up through those posts. If that is true, and not just a trick of my aging eyes, I would try backing then out with a Square Recess screw driver. There are usually 2 sizes of those tips in battery drill driver bit kits. The right sized tip and both extensions should reach the head of those screws. Low speed and firm pressure or you may strip the screw head.

--
Tom Horne
 
Regarding the set screw that you mention in the first picture. The one that has an allen head and is stripped. A handy tip I just learned is to take a torx bit that's about the same size and tap it into the stripped Allen head with a hammer. You should then be able to back out the set screw with the torx bit. you may want to spray it with a little bit of PB Blaster or the like first
 
EricK said:
Regarding the set screw that you mention in the first picture. The one that has an allen head and is stripped. A handy tip I just learned is to take a torx bit that's about the same size and tap it into the stripped Allen head with a hammer. You should then be able to back out the set screw with the torx bit. you may want to spray it with a little bit of PB Blaster or the like first
Click to expand...
Thank you for pointing out the part of the OPs question which I obviously missed. It the existing faucet is to be discarded then you could cut off the screw heads with a rotary tool grinding wheel. If you cut them off really close to the head you could use it elsewhere or give it away for use with replacement Stainless Steel screws dipped in anti-seize paste.

--
Tom Horne
 
I was rereading everything and I noticed in my post I neglected to mention you will need to remove the white plug on the back side of the handle to get to the set screw which allows you to remove the handle. Then you can dismantle everything as I described without trying to get under the sink to grind things. If you want to be a little harder on things, take a reciprocating saw and saw through the entire faucet near the base and then remove the screws which hold the faucet onto the counter top. I do not believe it can be taken off from below without cutting the pieces which surround the threads.
 
Thanks again to all with replies and suggestions. I appreciate it!

I was able to get the faucet uninstalled after unscrewing the little allen head screw. Turns out, I just needed one of my metric allen wrenches (as opposed to the standard size my friend had on hand).

After that, the faucet could be lifted off of the base plate which exposed the allen head bolts holding the plate to the counter. See pics.

Pays to have the right tools on hand for the job ;)

20190801_145344.jpg 20190801_145535.jpg
 
So glad you got the faucet off the counter. I've never seen a faucet mounted that way before. Amazing how a little set screw can really set you back!
 
Good deal. Learn something new everyday. That would not have been my starting spot, but I would have done a bunch of unnecessary stuff to find I had to get the set screw out. What are the letters formed into the base? Can't quite read them. Is that the brand I wonder?
 
Yeah, I've replaced several faucet's in my day but hadn't run into this type of mounting. My first attempt to remove it, I did try (with the tools my friend had on hand, she doesn't have many) to remove that little screw after trying to figure it out from the underside. Since I couldn't get it to turn, I gave up on that thinking...anyway, there is no way that's how the thing was put together. The rubber grommet on the back of the handle, did not reveal any interior screw or bolt so that was a mystery as well. Why put that there?
Good question on the letters there. We couldn't make them out either.
Quite a strange set up indeed. Hopefully, this can help someone else in the future.
Cheers!
:D
 
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