How to Fix a Toilet Flushing Rod That Will Not Go Back Down

Tighten Lever Assembly

• 1

  Turn off the water valve leading to toilet tank. Depress the flush lever until the tank has emptied.

• 2

  Take the lid off the toilet tank. Find the flush lever lock nut. This nut is on the arm of the flush lever against the inside of the toilet tank. Turn the nut from right to left by hand. Do not overtighten. You may crack the porcelain toilet tank.

• 3

  Check the parts of the flush lever assembly to ensure they are not bent, twisted or broken. If everything's in order, reopen the water shut-off valve and test the toilet's operation. If the lift rod is damaged or corroded, replace it with a new assembly.

Replacing the Flush Assembly

• 4

  Turn off the water valve leading to toilet tank. Depress the flush lever until the tank has emptied. Take the lid off the toilet tank. Remove the flapper chain from the flushing rod. Remove the flush lever lock nut from the old handle by turning it to the left. Remove the flush lever assembly from the tank.

• 5

  Measure the length of the old flushing rod and transfer that measurement to the new flushing rod. Trim the new rod to this measurement with a hacksaw. Remove the lock nut from the new handle by turning it toward the left until it slides off.

• 6

  Slide the new lever assembly through the tank hole until the handle is snug against the tank. Place the lock nut on the flushing rod with the flat side facing the handle. Slide the lock nut over the lever arm and turn the nut to the right to tighten. Do not overtighten.

  Connect the flapper chain to the flushing rod using the hole that allows the flapper to seat completely within the flush valve.

• 7

  Reopen the water shut-off valve to the toilet tank. Allow the tank to refill. Flush the toilet to test whether the assembly has been installed correctly. Adjust the flapper chain as necessary.