The replacement is the Toto THU499S universal flapper. I did make the adjustment. I've wondered if I did it wrong (though I no longer have the instructions) or if it shifted during installation, but my impression was that the adjustment merely determined how much water the flapper admitted -- not how it seals. Or am I wrong on this?

I wonder if they still make a Korky for the Ultramax? For a reasonable price? And if that would seal better? You would think that the Toto flapper would seal properly.

But there seems to be some sort of systemic problem, given my poor history with flappers for this toilet. With this latest flapper, I noticed that it is free to slide back and forth about a half-inch on the hinge, and I'm wondering if I need to restrict its side-to-side motion somehow?

The flapper also determines how it seals. The product I purchased is the Genuine Toto Universal Flapper Model #2023BP and it is made by Korky. It has an arrow setting that determines how large the ball is the fits in the seal. I wonder if the water pressure going into your toilet is too high too. This is thelink to the item that I purchased. I am not sure if this model is compatible with your unit. There is another Korky unit for other Toto toilets. Also, make sure you have the correct chain length set.

Best of luck!

The last one I bought was a Korky 2021BP for our Ultimate (retrofitted to Ultramax when the fill valve failed). I've been getting about 4 years out of ours (we're at ~14 years on the Ultimate and 11 years on the Drake). Relatively early on, I complained to Toto and they sent me free flappers. They claimed that we had chloramines that were causing the rubber to degrade- my utility just uses chlorine, but that could be a problem with yours. Not that that's an excuse for the flapper to turn into mush (what happened to our original ones).

I'd still get more Totos in a heartbeat. What other problems have you had?

Just replaced one after 11 years. It was leaking, when I looked it was as if it had been sitting in a caustic or corrosive liquid, not city water. Other toilet is fine.

I've been having problems with our flappers as well. Its a TOTO Ultimate and we have tried not one but two of the Universal flappers THU499S. I finally contacted TOTO in California and they said THAT flapper has been replaced by THU500S and they would be sending one out to me. (If they started numbering the universals at #001, it doesn't look good for "universals"..lol).

We haven't received the replacement part yet but will let you know if it works.

re: lmkt1 - we just bought the THU500S as recommended by Toto - but we cannot disconnect the original one on the toilet (ultramax 2 elongated) we bought about six years ago - that one encircles the axis so that one cannot disconnect it and it is not very flexible. Any hints? Thanks

Hi, sorry I don't have any answers for you. I believe we eventually called a plumber who "did his magic" and it seems to be ok now. I hope you can find a solution to this. Good luck!

Never had a problem with the Toto toilet(s) we have but having trouble finding a flapper replacement. The Korky No. 2022 leaks...bought 4 and they all leak regardless of the toilet I put them in. Supposed to replace the Toto THU140S flapper...

The edges of the Korky flapper are very thin and this is where it seems to be leaking. Will look for a flapper with thicker edge.

I buy the Korky generic Toto replacement that is now sold at Home Depot. It works for us, but I have to buy a new one every year. Just replaced it two weeks ago; I had last replaced it October of last year. But from the beginning (14 years ago) this toilet has required annual flapper replacement -- when I NEVER replace them on our other toilets. I would never buy a Toto again -- just a bad product..

Toto CSF 924F toilet...NONE of the Home Depot flappers hold a seal. Per Toto...your toilet is old, you probably need to change out the valve and parts. But this was FIRST time I've needed to change out the flapper. Note to self, don't buy Toto.

Our Drake flapper was leaking last April, and when I went to replace it, the connection had hardened enough that the post on the overflow tower broke off when I took it loose. I had to get Toto's new piston flapper arrangement (THU441.10J-A) and replace the traditional one. That was some work to take the tank off and replace, but the new setup is pretty slick. Looks like they have a version that works for the one-piece toilets, too.

There's nothing wrong with Toto.

You don't think there's something very wrong with a need for annual flapper replacement (even when they were genuine Toto), vs. 10+ years on other toilets in the same house?

I've never had to replace a flapper on less than about a 4-year interval. Both toilets are 16+ years old at this point. If you're that bent about it, trade out for the tower/piston valve. Seems like a big improvement over traditional flapper to me.

The root cause of the leaking flapper is that it slid off center due to the pivot posts too wide, allows the flap to slide to one side and off center to the drain hole and leak. I cut two 5mm thick spacers from a rubber fuel hose (any hose size that's fits on the pivot post is OK. I like the thick fuel hose over the pet store clear tube). Each spacer looks like a complete ring, then I cut the ring open (like a pinky ring for the fat middle finger). With the opened rings, I slide it on the pivot post between the flapper leg and the overflow tube, and avoid the need to remove the flapper. Do this for both spacers. This helps keep the flapper center to the drain hole. Problem has been fixed for the last few years.

Pic is my 12 years old original flapper on the Promenade Toto. The pulling chain on this model tend to pull the flapper forward and this added to the off-center.

Why didn't I cut a thicker washer to fill the pivot post completely? Too thick washers can "bend" the flapper legs too much, and this shorten the flapper relative to the drain hole center, and may cause leak and I don't want a headache of hearing a baby cow crying in the bathroom in the middle of the night.

you must say I cut the washer thickness just perfect for two straight flapper legs like a super model in red.

My toto is now 13 years old and we've replaced the flapper and float once about 10 years in, but currently it's acting up so expecting to need to replace again soon. I like their "sanigloss" finish in the bowl, and "tornado flush" enough to consider purchasing another for our remodel.

Hi,

I have a toto toilet about 20 years old I never have changed the flapper (I guess they screwed up). Think of a flapper made of good plastic with chain pull and hinges all you need to operate it. Now put something like a button on the bottom and make a rubber gasket about a 1/8-inch thick with a hole in the middle that fits over the button, it works great. I guess thats why they quit making them.

Just a Thought

Woodbutcher

Plumber out of Tucson Arizona. Can no longer find OEM Toto Flappers. Concentrate strictly on Service and Repair. Problems I have seen when not OEM: Bypass issues and it seems that the Universal flappers they have and the ones that actually say Fits Toto are not closing properly. Believe it is a density issue the flapper is either falling to fast or not fast enough. You will notice in the bowl that the water level is less than what it use to be. We apply dye tabs after installation and it has been nothing but a big issue. I would recommend not buying Toto, especially because they cannot explain why they no longer make OEM flappers, especially the blue and red ones.

Still have the same Totos after 20 years +/-. Our Ultimate/Ultramax had been a pain lately, until I figured out I'd set up the fill valve (TSU99A.X) incorrectly when I installed it a couple years ago. I misread the number of notches on the instructions (the model number is gone inside the tank, and it was bought as an Ultimate, which didn't help). Got the right flapper (I may also have used a Gmax flapper b/c it was what I had on hand). With the right number of notches on the fill valve (I adjusted it instead of replacing) and a Korky 2021 BP flapper, it's bulletproof again as a 1.6-gpf Ultramax.

The Drake in the other bathroom now has a THU441.10J drain valve after one of the flapper posts broke off when I was replacing it. Replacing the valve was a bit of a pain, but it's been trouble-free since. Looks like they have versions for both the 2-piece and 1-piece toilets. So may eventually trade out in the Ultramax also.

We had original toto flappers for 15 yrs and worked fine. Replaced with Toto newer universal flapper and have continual leaks on all 4 toilets. In addition, the last 4 years we have to replace them every 3 months as the city puts so much chemical in their water to try to get to "0" contaminants that the flappers become stiff and hard. (FYI-We only drink the water filtered now)

Bought a toto ultramax and the drain valve tower is leaking less than two years in. I agree with the thread. I’d never buy another toto.

One of the root cause of leaking is the user let go the flush handle before the tank empty into the bowl: while the water flowing at the high rate, dropping the flapper at this moment allows the fast water to pull the flapper partially into the drain hole and causing the leak. Many of our guesses made this mistake (people should not just walk away before the bowl is empty, as you don't want the next user to see your waste accidently not flushed away).

I bought a new house that came with Toto toilets !!! The worst tere is. It is supposed to be of hig quality, but NO, it is a poor product. In less than a year I have changed the filler valve and now have to change the flapper. Such a simple thing, and they can not make something to last !!!