The socket and breaker bar will work but take these precautions to prevent problems. (make sure the power is disconnected, water is turned off, and the tank is drained before beginning.) Push the breaker bar down instead of lifting to prevent raising the hot water heater off the floor and breaking the water inlet pipe on top causing a flood. Use one hand to stabilize the top of the hot water heater from tipping while you crank down (or up) with a breaker bar. If it is really stuck get a friend, your son, or a tough girl to lend a quick hand while you crank it loose. I learned my lesson the hard way late on New Years Eve while breaking the water inlet pipe flooding the garage. It was late on New Years Eve and the big box stores were closing soon and it had to be repaired because new tenants were moving in in the morning. Another good tip: Do not, NOT, throw power breaker back on until the hot water heater is completely refilled with water. If you apply power before completely re-filling water, you will melt the new heating elements destroying them. It only takes a minute or two to destroy them if they are not submerged under water inside the tank. My wingnut handyman, Roger, taught me that lesson with a new hot water heater while installing it in too big of a hurry. Had to replace both elements again, late in the day.
So glad I found your video. I was having a time removing the lower element. Bought the 1.5” socket and it came off like a boss! Thanks! Much appreciated!
Great tip! The first thing I do when I get a different vehicle is go to harbor freight and get a deep well socket to match the lug nuts for my breaker bar.
Thanks for saying Autozone because I couldn't find a 1.5" socket at Lowe's. Autozone set me up with a 1.5" socket, socket adapter, and a much larger ratchet for about $60.00 because I wanted more leverage. (The element wrench from Lowes kept slipping off). The socket wrench still required a few intense tries, but both elements came out!! Only one element was open (the bottom one, but changed both anyway). Now getting hot 🔥 water💧 again, but now with both elements working.
I know this is an older video but I’ll give you all a tip. Do not buy that cheap 8 dollar “element” socket. Buy a 1 1/2 inch deep socket like he said. Grind the bevel off the socket off so it’s flat. Now you can get a good bite on that Little 1/8 inch nut on the element. Hope this helps someone. Good luck. 🤘
Sometimes a breaker bar isn’t sufficient. In that case I use an impact driver to jar it loose. In fact if you give it a reasonable effort with a breaker bar and it won’t budge it’s best to use an impact before the socket can slip and do further damage. Also take a moment and scrape any rust build up from the element so the socket can get a firm purchase.
Regards from Italy and thank you for the advice. I used the socket you recommend, that for us is a standard 38 millimeter socket. The size was the same you have shown. The element wrench did not work.
Thank you very much sir! I busted a few knuckles trying to use that formed piece of pipe “socket” to get an old element out. When I return to take another stab at it, I will be armed with a 1 1/2 inch socket and a breaker bar. Just hoping that the threads on the tank aren’t so rusted that they won’t hold the new element in place.
Currently trying to get a stubborn element out with an inch and a half deep well and a long 1/2 drive rachet. So far it's still winning. Wd-40 is useless. Wish I had got some pb blast while I was out. Having tons of fun.
..I have used PB blaster each of 4 days ahead of time and a 1-1/2” socket and breaker bar and I feel like I am going to break the breaker bar and it is still not coming off. Had same trouble last time I replaced it and my neighbor came over to help
Grind the bevel off the socket so it fits dead flush and forget the breaker bar. Use an impact wrench. I just did it today and had it out inside of 30 seconds.......after I struggled with it for 2 hrs a month ago.
It is a hot water heater after it heats the cold water to hot. It holds hot water. You aren't going to change millions of people speech with your nit picking.
Хобби
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The socket and breaker bar will work but take these precautions to prevent problems. (make sure the power is disconnected, water is turned off, and the tank is drained before beginning.)
Push the breaker bar down instead of lifting to prevent raising the hot water heater off the floor and breaking the water inlet pipe on top causing a flood. Use one hand to stabilize the top of the hot water heater from tipping while you crank down (or up) with a breaker bar. If it is really stuck get a friend, your son, or a tough girl to lend a quick hand while you crank it loose. I learned my lesson the hard way late on New Years Eve while breaking the water inlet pipe flooding the garage. It was late on New Years Eve and the big box stores were closing soon and it had to be repaired because new tenants were moving in in the morning.
Another good tip: Do not, NOT, throw power breaker back on until the hot water heater is completely refilled with water. If you apply power before completely re-filling water, you will melt the new heating elements destroying them. It only takes a minute or two to destroy them if they are not submerged under water inside the tank. My wingnut handyman, Roger, taught me that lesson with a new hot water heater while installing it in too big of a hurry. Had to replace both elements again, late in the day.
I totally agree. All great advice. The voice of experience has spoken
So glad I found your video. I was having a time removing the lower element. Bought the 1.5” socket and it came off like a boss! Thanks! Much appreciated!
Glad it helped
Great tip! The first thing I do when I get a different vehicle is go to harbor freight and get a deep well socket to match the lug nuts for my breaker bar.
Had this issue tonight...Auto Zone had the socket $8.99. Thank you for the tip...IT WORKED!
Glad it worked for you
Thanks for saying Autozone because I couldn't find a 1.5" socket at Lowe's. Autozone set me up with a 1.5" socket, socket adapter, and a much larger ratchet for about $60.00 because I wanted more leverage. (The element wrench from Lowes kept slipping off). The socket wrench still required a few intense tries, but both elements came out!! Only one element was open (the bottom one, but changed both anyway). Now getting hot 🔥 water💧 again, but now with both elements working.
Haven't seen that particular socket before, thanks for sharing it!!
You bet!
Wild opening music. I was like taken to India for a minute. Thanks for the tip too
we need more folks like you here lol
I know this is an older video but I’ll give you all a tip. Do not buy that cheap 8 dollar “element” socket. Buy a 1 1/2 inch deep socket like he said. Grind the bevel off the socket off so it’s flat. Now you can get a good bite on that Little 1/8 inch nut on the element. Hope this helps someone. Good luck. 🤘
Thanks for the tip!! I'll use it well!
Great!
Sometimes a breaker bar isn’t sufficient. In that case I use an impact driver to jar it loose. In fact if you give it a reasonable effort with a breaker bar and it won’t budge it’s best to use an impact before the socket can slip and do further damage. Also take a moment and scrape any rust build up from the element so the socket can get a firm purchase.
An impact is a great idea since it actually "bangs" (creates vibrations) parts loose rather than simply twisting them
Exactly. 👍🏻
You mean that it's that difficult to break loose?
Thanks! Saved me a lot of grief!
hope it worked out for you
Great tip!!!
Glad it was helpful!
You done real good
Thanks
Inch and half exactly what i needed to know
GREAT TIP AND THANKS FOR SHARING.
LATER AND ALL THE BEST.
Thank you
I love this guy!!’
Thank You. You helped me... Thank you very much
Glad to hear that
Yes sir. good tip
You bet
Lol. Thank you man. I knew this... I know I should have knew this... 😅
No worries!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
1:49 The text says "8 point", but it should say 6 point. I'm sure everybody will get it right... but just stay away from the 12 point.
No, Actually I think the creator of this video might need the 12-step recovery!
Regards from Italy and thank you for the advice. I used the socket you recommend, that for us is a standard 38 millimeter socket. The size was the same you have shown. The element wrench did not work.
Yes 38 mm = 1 1/2 inch socket
38mm / 25.4mm/inch = 1.49 inch = 1.5 inch = 1 1/2 inch
Thank you very much sir! I busted a few knuckles trying to use that formed piece of pipe “socket” to get an old element out. When I return to take another stab at it, I will be armed with a 1 1/2 inch socket and a breaker bar. Just hoping that the threads on the tank aren’t so rusted that they won’t hold the new element in place.
Glad I could help
Been trying to get my damn thermostat out all night! Hopefully when the auto parts store opens in the morning this will work.
Good luck and hope this works for you
THANK YOU!
You're welcome!
Thanks boss live long and prosper
Same to you
Cheers back from Ohio!
Perfect...THANK YOU my friend...answered my question... I am just going to start with 1.5 socket
Glad I could help
I wish I saw your video first before I bought that water heater element removal kit. It didn't work at all.
Sorry to hear that
Thanks man, yeah my lower element is kicking my ass
Apply a little never seize on the new one!
Currently trying to get a stubborn element out with an inch and a half deep well and a long 1/2 drive rachet. So far it's still winning. Wd-40 is useless. Wish I had got some pb blast while I was out. Having tons of fun.
Wow. Sad to say but sounds like time for a new hot water heater.
Gregory it'll be lots more fun once you finally (after busting up your hand) get the element out and it's GOOD/not the problem😂😂
..I have used PB blaster each of 4 days ahead of time and a 1-1/2” socket and breaker bar and I feel like I am going to break the breaker bar and it is still not coming off. Had same trouble last time I replaced it and my neighbor came over to help
You confirmed my suspension thanks
cheers, marsh rat. hoping this works on my water heater, gonna get one of those sockets soon cuz my heating element is so corroded
I wish you luck
@@MarshRat it did work! I just went to the hardware store and got that socket. came right off! thanks for your help!
looks like I'll be heading to princess auto grab that socket my top element is so stuck bottom one came out easy though.
Good luck and apply some never- seize to the treads
My well water is so corrosive my water heaters averaged 3 years to replacement
I’m putting in a softener
Oh no
Thanks
Welcome
My elements won't come off even with an impact wrench. I am at a loss. Do I have to drill the thing out now?!
maybe time for a new heater. even then pays to never seize the elements!
If it's hot, why do you have to heat it?
Yep I gotta get the breaker bar out 😪
:O on the breaker bar!!!
Grind the bevel off the socket so it fits dead flush and forget the breaker bar. Use an impact wrench. I just did it today and had it out inside of 30 seconds.......after I struggled with it for 2 hrs a month ago.
ok
"Buy an actual socket". Thanks for the tip lol.
No worries!
NC here
Yeah have another drink
Got any?
6 point or 12 point which one do you use ?
6 point
You know there not gonna sell a honest fitting generic socket to get it out.i saw the grin...yes you'll need a real socket.1984
You definitely from the south like me 😜 yee haw
Good luck finding said socket
Amazon has a bunch
Tamil song ❤
thank you
1.5 inch no good- a fraction too big. 38mm 6 point impact is the only tool for this, 1 second done
good deal
Go bucks
Stubborn is a nice way to say it lol, rusted, broken, and a pain in my ass!!! Going to get my socket now I hope I got one.
If I could find a 6 pt socket..... I bought a 12 pt. Ugh.
I beg to differ. The size of the nut on most elements are narrow. The bevel on the inside of that socket may prevent it from getting a good grip!
k
I ended up using the cheap tool from the hardware store and a pipe wrench. I bent the shit outta the little cheater that came with it😅
oh well :(
u as whole
It's not a hot water heater. It's a water heater.
Willie, at least you got the point.
Yeah, I got the point.
It is a hot water heater after it heats the cold water to hot.
It holds hot water.
You aren't going to change millions of people speech with your nit picking.