anode rod

You might try cleaning the threads on the water heater with a small wire brush. Corrosion can build up enough to make it hard to thread the rod. When we store the RV for the winter, we clean the threads, put a light coat of vaseline on the threads, and then put a clean cloth loosely in the hole. This keeps bugs, etc out of the water heater and keeps the threads from corroding. When we reinstall the rod in the spring, we start it with our fingers, then tighten just enough to snug it with a socket. We also use a wrap of teflon tape on the rod.

I use a 1-1/16 socket and extension to insert and tighten my suburban anode rod. I start with a 6 sided hex socket and extension with out being connected to the ratchet. I tear a piece of cardboard cereal box or cracker box into a strip about 3/8 inch wide and long enough to wrap half way around the anode rod hex. Then force the rod hex and cardboard into the hex socket. It makes a tight enough fit it will stick out from the hex socket without having to support the rod. Don't forget to use a couple wraps of Teflon tape on the threads. I then insert it into the tank drain boss and line it up. The boss has a very slight downward angle. I push on the anode while turning it counter clockwise until I feel the end of the hole thread and end of the anode thread slip off each other kind of a bump as mentioned above. Then I start tightening slowly making sure the threads are lined up then tighten away.

Good tip Old Bisquit and thanks. If it helps once I stick Teflon tape on the rod threads I get it started with my fingers, then go with the socket and extension by hand and once I have it in as far as I can by hand then tighten with the socket handle. Too easy it cross thread.

YES all anode rods for Suburban WHs are 3/4" NPT threads (pipe thread.....tapered)
and 9" or 9 1/2" long. (Aftermarket Anode Rods sold for Atwood are 1/2" dia. and NOT needed)

Are the tank threads clean...free of burrs?
Cheap easy thread chaser....3/4" nipple. Screw it in using back/forth motion to chase threads/clean them up

I hope you have a Suburban water heater. If you are trying to put an anode in an Atwood heater you will have problems. Atwoods are made for NO anode rod.

A little teflon paste works for me,it seems to lubricate the threads along with making a good seal.

HappyKayakers wrote:
If you have one of the long anode rods (for larger Suburban water heaters) it takes a steady hand to keep it lined up straight.

This is so true. Keep trying, all the threads are the same.

Do you have teflon tape on the threads?
Try rotating it CCW until you hear/feel a click then immediately rotate CW.

If you have one of the long anode rods (for larger Suburban water heaters) it takes a steady hand to keep it lined up straight.