Need Help To Remove Nut on Beer Tower Elbow Shank

[BigBangBrewing]

Hi! I have a KC2000TWIN kegerator and need to replace the beverage lines. I was able to disassemble the tower, remove the clamps that connect the shanks to the beverage line but cannot remove the elbow shank itself to put new lines on.

I've tried two different keg tower wrenchs sold on amazon (see below) and neither worked for the KC2000TWIN tower. I've also tried all of the wrenchs in my toolbox, needle nosed plyers, and my trusty channel lock wrench and haven't had success with anything.

Anyone have ideas?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPATKU/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0747L2Y7P/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[RevKev]

Small Cresent wrench jammed right in there and rotate the connected tap when screwed on. Even your channel lock should be able to get a hold on it and then just twist the tap..

I have had that same exact issue.

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

I’m a technician and looking at those big flats thinking you should be able to wrestle them free fairly easily. If it’s about tightness, put a pipe onto your wrench handle to get a little more leverage.

 

[BigBangBrewing]

Channel lock wrench is too big to get in the tiny spaces to let me get a good grip on the nut to turn. The space between the nut and the wall of the tower is the width of 3 credit cards approx (I couldn't get anything else in there to measure and couldn't get 4 in haha).

The tower wrench I bought just doesn't fit and the grooves are too small to grip anything anyways. The hex wrench I got is about half an inch too big and makes me think the nut is smaller than I thought.

I've emailed edgestar too and they havent been much help yet.

 

[kh54s10]

Seems like an open end wrench or an adjustable wrench should work if you go in from the middle of the tube. Don't try to get in between the nut and the wall of the tube. Work on two other flats.

 

[ancientmariner52]

I'd suggest finding a 12 point box end wrench that fits, then grinding it down until you can slip it over the elbow from below. Even a heavily ground box end wrench is far stronger than an open end.

 

[enkamania]

When I had a stubborn one, needle nose was able to help me.

 

[cegan09]

i'm guessing the white stuff is some kind of caulking? if so I'm guessing the person that assembled it had a similar issue and couldn't get the nut tight. You'll probably need to break that stuff free first.

 

[troutman]

I suggest a flat tip screwdriver and a hammer. Tapping it on the corner of the nut until it loosens. Make sure to tap it the correct direction

 

[mirthfuldragon]

It is a pain in the tight quarters, so most wrenches and pliers won't fit. I was able to get it done with a pair of long nose vice-grips.

i'm guessing the white stuff is some kind of caulking? if so I'm guessing the person that assembled it had a similar issue and couldn't get the nut tight. You'll probably need to break that stuff free first.

It is a white plastic spacer to create a flat plane from the inside curve of the draft tower, so the nut has something flat to clamp against.

 

[RevKev]

I guess I may be lucky with a 3" tower, OP do you by chance have an angle grinder? You could also make a wrench by grinding too

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

I see your problem now. Maybe try a strap wrench

 

[RevKev]

I'm guessing OP may have a 2.5" tower yeah strap wrench should help

 

[BigBangBrewing]

Looking into an angle grinder and a strap wrench if all else fails, spoke to Edgestar finally and they recommended this https://www.kegerator.com/dual-sided-tower-nut-wrench-fits-1-inch-and-1-1-16-inch-nuts/D8ESCB.html

 

[stinkydog]

I had exactly the same issue a month ago. Needle nosevice grips are the chits

 

[day_trippr]

Hard to believe that open 12 point box wrench can't get a grip, but maybe the almost right angle opening is sub-optimal.
I bet a fresh box wrench could be hack-sawed with the gap in a better location...

Cheers!

 

[pigroaster]

A sink wrench is your ticket. It is designed to fit in a tight spot and turn sort of like a pipe wrench on a long extension. Will work great.

 

[jcav]

I had a stubborn one also but the recommended open sided faucet wrench did the trick on mine. Hope you can get it off.....

John

 

[milldoggy]

Flat head and a hammer. Used to work for me.

 

[beermanpete]

Flat head and a hammer. Used to work for me.

As a last resort, it will work. Use a cold chisel for better and safer results.