How to Replace a Toilet Handle Shut off the water supply to the toilet tank. Lift and remove the cover from the water tank. Locate the lift chain hooked to the handle rod. Unhook the chain from the handle rod. Remove the nut that is attached to the handle, holding it in place. Remove the handle and replace it with the new one. Click to see full answer. Then, are toilet handles universal?A broken toilet handle or lever is a fairly common plumbing problem. There are also universal handles that will fit almost any toilet, no matter what type of toilet tank lever you currently have. With universal toilet handles, there are sometimes adjustments that have to be done to the handle to make them fit.Additionally, why are toilet handles on left? The early design of the flush toilet consisted of a chain on the left side of the tank. Pulling the chain flushed the toilet. The chain was on the left so that a person sitting on a toilet could reach up and flush with the right hand. Someone sitting on a modern-day toilet can reach behind to flush with the right hand. Likewise, what does the toilet handle connect to? You’ll see that the handle is attached to a long arm inside the tank, and that the arm is linked to a chain that lifts the flush valve. Note which hole the chain is hooked to (there are usually three or more holes on the arm) and then unhook the clasp that holds the chain to the arm.What is the lever on the toilet called?Tank lever: Connected to the handle, this lifts the rubber flapper, which triggers the flush. It is also called the lift rod.