Replace wall-mounted exposed toilet but it doesn't fit.

[linnnordstrom]

We apparently have a wall-mounted toilet from the 70s and it keeps running. However, I contacted Gustavsberg, and they said that since it is so old, there are no parts available for purchase.

So we bought a new one that we were going to install. According to the website, it "should be easy to install and fit most older installations." Of course, it did NOT.

There is approximately a 5 cm difference to the mounting holes, and if we hang it on the "rough pins, 2 sticking out from the wall," it doesn't fit into the drain pipe at all.

Had a plumber here today, and he thought that there might be a "steel frame embedded in the floor behind the wall where these two pins stick out from." The question is: What the heck do we do? Are there new dimensions nowadays? A simple fix that has become very complicated. It's not like that's the only thing that needs replacing and fixing in the house, so it would also be interesting to know roughly what this affair could end up costing.

Extremely grateful for answers.

 

[hempularen]

There are toilets e.g. from Gustavsberg that conform to the "older Swedish standard" for the hole pattern. Now I don’t know if there can be more than one older standard.

Visit the websites of the different manufacturers Gustavsberg Ifö, Ido etc. There are dimensional sketches for all toilets.

 

[linnnordstrom]

Yes, we believed in the "standard" but apparently it has changed. Now it says. Take the toilet there and we wonder how on earth we are going to get new "stålrör" out from the wall that will support the toilet.

 

[lordi]

The easiest way is to buy a chair with the right dimensions. As mentioned, there is an older Swedish standard. Otherwise, you will have to open up the wall and install a new fixture.

 

[doubleH]

Passed the question to my dad who worked at Gustavsberg on servicing their sanitary ware in the 70s and later.
If it has the push-button (model 339) or "lift button" (likely model name 385), then they are indeed often mounted with a steel fixture in the wall.
If you can't find a toilet with the same hole pattern, you can solve it by installing new bolts, so-called "screw studs":
https://www.vvsobygg.se/skruvstifts...hMt90OzxFBynz5dqYPanyUtzhimVizLxoCnH4QAvD_BwE
However, it requires that there is something to screw into - i.e., not just plasterboard...

 

[linnnordstrom]

Passed the question to my dad who worked at Gustavsberg in the 70s and later with service of their sanitary porcelain.
If it has a push button (model 339) or a "lift button" (likely model name 385), they are indeed often attached with a steel fixture in the wall.
If one can't find a bowl with the same hole pattern, it can be solved by installing new bolts, so-called "screw studs":
[link]
However, it requires there to be something to screw into - meaning not just drywall...

Thanks, it's considerate of you to consult with a pro who really knows. Appreciate it.
It is with, the new and the old (a button you "pull up").

Yes, unfortunately, we don't really know what's on the backside anymore :/

 

[Jarlingar]

Neodymium magnet..

 

[InsidersUnited]

Neodymium magnet..

Need to have plenty of iron in the water then....

 

[doubleH]

thank you, how considerate to hear from you with a professional who really knows. I appreciate it.
It's with, the new and the old (a button you "pull up").

yes, unfortunately, we don't really know what's more on the backside :/

Should be possible to figure out how the walls in the toilet are constructed?
The reason for a fixture is usually that it's gypsum.
Have you mounted anything else in the toilet, like a cabinet or toilet paper holder?
In that case, you should have seen what was behind the tiles when you drilled?
Although, not even sure if it's tiled? Wet room wallpaper was popular in the 70s...

 

[linnnordstrom]

Haven't mounted anything else, but in the kitchen the cabinets were only hung on masonite, so I hope it's not the same.

 

[linnnordstrom]

But if we now uninstall the old toilet again, how should I measure exactly in order to then be able to order? (Is it from the pins they sit on, to the beginning of the drain?, maybe a dumb question but I have no idea).

 

[CarlC89]

All the toilets I have looked at have an extremely clear sketch with measurements in all directions. Those measurements should match where your measurements need to be.

 

[doubleH]

There is quite a bit to read on the topic here on the Byggahus forum.
Search for "vägghängd toalett"
Unfortunately, you've already managed to buy a new toilet...
What brand/model did you buy (not mentioned in the thread)
What is the center-to-center measurement between the bolts in the wall?
Gustavsberg's new wall-hung toilets have oval holes that should fit both the old and new standard measurements (180 and 230mm)
https://www.gustavsberg.com/fileadmin/uploads/Citat/Drawing/converted/5530.gif

 

[linnnordstrom]

I ordered this at the beginning of summer.

https://www.buildor.se/gustavsberg-vagghangd-toalettstol-339-rot

for the precise reason that the instructions on the website stated it would fit easily "If you already have a wall-hung toilet, it will be easy to install a Gustavsberg wall-hung toilet 339 ROT in your bathroom. By using Swedish standard measurements for installation, you can mount this toilet in the same place as the old one."

 

[doubleH]

But if we now take down the old toilet again, how should I measure exactly to be able to order later? (Is it from the pegs they're mounted on, to the start of the drain?, maybe a silly question but I have no idea).

Look at the drawings - it is quite clear how to measure. You haven't mentioned what your cc measurement between the wall bolts is. You haven't used the new toilet bowl so you may be able to return it? If you don't know how to measure yourself, take a piece of cardboard and use it as a template against the back of the old bowl - cut out where the drain and bolt holes are and take it with you to the plumbing store; they will find a bowl that fits your measurements.