Replace bolts from tank to base?

We followed the directions the Hardware store man gave us to replace the bolts that hold the tank to the toilet, but the tank wobbles and there is a leak. Can someone explain carefully to an inexperienced handywoman the order in which to place the various elements of the bolt in relation to the tank and the toilet? A picture would help - have searched and can't find. No help on bolt manufacturer's website. Thanks!

I'm sure a pro will chime in here, but here's the do-it-yourselfers take...

You put the rubber washer on the bolt and push it all the way up to the head. Make sure to use new rubber washers, the old ones can get hard and may not seal.

Then you insert the bolt through the bottom of the tank, down thru the hole in the base, and tighten it with a nut & metal washer from below.

The trick here is to hold the tank dead level & square with the base as you tighten the nuts. If it is not level or cocked a bit, the rubber washers will not sit square against the inside of the tank and it may leak. It really helps to have a helper with this to hold the tank. but it can be done alone.

Hope this helps.

thank you

Thank you! We seem to have extra bits - there is the bolt itself, two washers, a wingnut, and then another nut that we were told to put between the tank and the toilet, but I think this is incorrect? The tank wobbles something awful. Thanks again for your help.

I use double bolts and washers - all brass, not plated. Rubber washer under the bolt head. Metal washer and brass nut under the tank. Rubber washer, metal washer, brass nut under the bowl.

thank you

Thank you both, these answers are really helpful. We shall now tackle the problem - again!

thanks again

Thank you to you both again. We re-did the bolts and the problem is much better, though we still have a bit of leaking - might be the flapper. Back to the Hardware...