BigJake
Member
DIYer. First time attempting to change a water heater anode rod. The only 1 1/16" socket I had was a 12 point socket, so I started with that which was a big msitake as it started to round the unmovable head of the anode rod. So I went to Lowes and bought a 6 point deep well 1 1/16" impact socket. I started with a breaker bar on the 6 point socket but the socket was just lifting off the bolt (and rounding more) so I moved to putting a 24" pipe wrench on the socket and tapping it with a sledge since any leverage was just walking the hot water tank aross the floor. Bolt still wouldn't budge with the 24" wrench, so I sprayed it with PB Blaster and orderd a corded impact driver. Impact driver came today and as seen in the attached photo, it only rounded off the bolt even more. The bolt is so rounded that I was now able to tap on a 1" socket (but again I only had a 12 point) but it only spun. I assume I'm dealing with cheap Chineese steel. It is an A.O Smith tank. What are my options now? Do I have any hope of removing this anode rod? I dont know if I now went out and bought a 6 point 1", if I could tap that onto the bolt? I'm afraind of damaging the lining of the tank if I tap too hard, is that a concern? My other thought is, can I JB Weld something to the top of the bolt that I can put a socket on? Any help appreaciated.