Old toilet spud issue

[William in Central New Je]

I am repairing a leak on a pre-1960's toilet. Floor mounted rear inlet bowl, wall hung tank connected via a flush elbow to a spud on the bowl. Toilet leaks at the spud every time it is flushed... FRESH water, fortunately! I have a new flush elbow and spud; and both old and new spuds appear identical. I've cleaned up the bowl entry with a scotchbrite pad, but the new spud will just not fit into the bowl opening. I've taken a very gentle pass at the spud on a bench grinder, to no avail. I'm... afraid to grind too much. I have the option to use an aluminum oxide grinding wheel on the porcelain opening, but again, afraid to go... too far. All fittings are dry and I've read not to use any sealant or lubricant of any kind. I haven't tried even gentle tapping on the end of the spud for fear of cracking the porcelain. Any tricks or ideas that I am missing here? It is... soooo close to fitting!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[BECplumbing]

I am repairing a leak on a pre-1960's toilet. Floor mounted rear inlet bowl, wall hung tank connected via a flush elbow to a spud on the bowl. Toilet leaks at the spud every time it is flushed... FRESH water, fortunately! I have a new flush elbow and spud; and both old and new spuds appear identical. I've cleaned up the bowl entry with a scotchbrite pad, but the new spud will just not fit into the bowl opening. I've taken a very gentle pass at the spud on a bench grinder, to no avail. I'm... afraid to grind too much. I have the option to use an aluminum oxide grinding wheel on the porcelain opening, but again, afraid to go... too far. All fittings are dry and I've read not to use any sealant or lubricant of any kind. I haven't tried even gentle tapping on the end of the spud for fear of cracking the porcelain. Any tricks or ideas that I am missing here? It is... soooo close to fitting!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Try filing the spud with sandpaper. I know someone who did that and he was able to make it fit.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[oldVermonter]

Question, for my own education: Would it be OK to use a thin grease coating to help it go in more easily?

 

[Peterson]

You have a "Low Tank" toilet. Can you re-use the old spud and put on a new spud washer? I love low tank toilets, but they can be miserable to fix.