Fighting with water heater anode !!!!!!!

[shovelhead]

Is the anode suppose to be such a PITA?  I've tried for over an hour and cant catch a thread.  It's not only  the new one either, I tried putting the original in and it wont thread as well.    Taking a break before I throw a wrench at it.    I'm going to try a brush on the heater threads to see if there is something clogging them up.... Then the hammer is next...

[kycamper]

Tricky to catch the threads properly. There is a part that makes it awkward to engage the threads. Gravity wants to " pull"  the anode down. Just take a deep breath and be patient. You can do this!!

[whoofit]

Time for a little humor maybe?

What did the Missile Technician say when he threw a hammer at the missile?

"BOOM!"

Seriously though, hope you get it sorted.

[mitch]

It's not you, it's a major PITA.

[shovelhead]

Whoofit... nah... we always said get a bigger hammer.  :-)  Too dark to try again. SO I'll tackle it again in the morning.

[fasteddieb]

Does a little Teflon tape on the first thread help or hurt?

I ask because with tape, mine seemed to go in with just a tiny bit of judicious jiggling.

[pinstriper]

Turn it around and try the other end in first.

[solds88]

Try the following: Locate the leading edge of the male thread and the leading edge of the female thread. line up the threads just before they begin to engage. Use a Sharpie and put a witness mark on the anode and the water heater. In effect, this will keep you from endlessly spinning the anode. Start, go a half turn or so, you'll know if it engaged or not. If not realign the witness marks and try again. Try holding the anode with a shallow six point socket and a long non pivoting extension. Bear down on the extension to counter balance the weight of the anode as you turn it. If the anode fits too loose, take a section of a plastic shopping bag, fold it using 1,2, or more thicknesses and put it over the head of the anode and insert it into the socket. I hope this helps.   

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Stand the trailer on its end and work from a tall step ladder?  
[/font]

[shovelhead]

[quote source="/post/8045/thread" timestamp="1426686131" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]Stand the trailer on its end and work from a tall step ladder?  
[/font][/quote]Those meds are great arent they Charlie? 

[shovelhead]

Que the "Rocky Theme Song"......... The anode rod is in it's place.  After trying different suggestions, it seems mine requires a heavy wrapping of Teflon tape and a 1 1/16  shallow socket rather then trying with fingers.  Thanks for the support... Charlies' suggestion was starting to sound logical.