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Removing water heater

I was not able to remove the water heater today.  I removed all the mounting screws on the front of the galvanized frame, still water heater would not budge. Tomorrow I will try to remove the galvanized mounting frame that surrounds the front trim, by drilling out the rivets.  It is riveted on to the water heater.

The closeup picture shows the rivets from the galvanized frame to th water heater and The rivets holding on The strut bracket.  The full pic shows the fixed divider to the right.

On the left side is a riveted on bracket for the strut, on the top is the riveted on bay door hinge. To the right is a fixed divider seperating the grey and black tank from the fresh water tank, not allowing me to jiggle the water heater to the right.

Any advise is appreciated.  I've in the past replaced the 10 gal similar water heaters in my two previous Monaco Signatures, so this difficulty has caught me by surprise.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #1 –
Jack,

The last one of those water heaters that I pulled I had to remove the bay door frame/trim (the piece that the door shock is mounted to) to be able to get it out. I don't remember what I found behind the frame piece that was keeping the heater from coming out though. 

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #2 –
Jack:  Once you get the water heater out, be sure you are prepared to stop the flow of coolent from your motoraid water heater.

Bob
Winter: Texas Rio Grande Valley or Foley, AL
Summer: The Gardens RV Community of Crossville, TN
2000 40 FT U270, Xtreme FBP
2017 C-Max Towed

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #3 –
Quote from: BobW –
...be sure you are prepared to stop the flow of coolent from your motoraid water heater.
They make a special type of pliers for just that purpose.  Inexpensive - find them at most auto parts stores, or your local HF store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/radiator-hose-pinch-off-pliers-99704.html
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #4 –
Quote
Tomorrow I will try to remove the galvanized mounting frame that surrounds the front trim, by drilling out the rivets.

That the ticket.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #5 –
Jack, we found that our original water heater had 'expanded' and was a very tight fit between the welded steel square tubing that supports the front of the water heater.

I remember having to 'muscle' the heater out and to put a thin flat metal sheet under the new water tank that aided sliding back in and to protect the open exposed Styrofoam bottom that is accessible above our water pump.

Don't have any recollection of drilling rivets. But we did remove w white frame that was held in place with screws.

Barry

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #6 –
Quote
But we did remove w white frame that was held in place with screws.
Yea, that's it. My above post was misleading. The galvanized box stays in place and you have to drill the rivets.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #7 –
Quote from: jor –
Yea, that's it. My above post was misleading. The galvanized box stays in place and you have to drill the rivets.
jor
Thank you, I can see where that could go either way.  I have already wiggled the entire frame out, and will rivet or screw the galvanized frame to the hot water heater before installing. I do believe the way you suggested would have been easier.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Removing water heater

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
They make a special type of pliers for just that purpose.  Inexpensive - find them at most auto parts stores, or your local HF store.

https://www.harborfreight.com/radiator-hose-pinch-off-pliers-99704.html
Is this the correct place to pinch off?
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan