How to remove outer water heater door on 2007 Winnebago?

[23hotrodr]

Can anyone tell me how to remove the outer compartment door covering the water heater on a 2007 Itasca Suncruiser?

All the outer compartment doors are hinged at the top along a sort of belt line molding. I cannot figure out how to get the water heater compartment door out of the way so I can pull the water heater out a bit to change the heating element. The front slide has to be out to access the rear of the water heater compartment access, and the slide interferes with this outer door so you cannot get it out of the way.

There are a couple short phillips head sheet metal screws up into the body at about the center of each hinge. I have removed these screws and cannot tell what they are supposed to hold. Their removal certainly does not seem to gain me anything regarding door removal. The dooor is riveted to the hinges and I don't want to go yanking around on anything.

Anyone know how to remove these compartment doors?

[mike_brez]

[23hotrodr]

cbeierl wrote:
You shouldn't have to remove the hinge. Inspect the lower front and rear corners for a few screws holding the panel shut (instead of the latches all of the regular doors have). Removing those screws should allow the panel to hinge up. You will need to support it with a broomstick or something, however, since it won't have any gas cylinders supporting it.

I know how to open and support this door. I really want to remove it completely so it is not in conflict with the slide while working on the water heater.

I was really hoping someone out there was familiar with how Winne hinged these compartment doors and the trick to removing them at the hinge. There is not so obvious to me a trick for doing this.

[BobandShaz]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
If you can't pull the hinge pin maybe drill out the rivets and reinstall.

yes apicture also would be a big help.

[cbeierl]

You shouldn't have to remove the hinge. Inspect the lower front and rear corners for a few screws holding the panel shut (instead of the latches all of the regular doors have). Removing those screws should allow the panel to hinge up. You will need to support it with a broomstick or something, however, since it won't have any gas cylinders supporting it.

[midnightsadie]

if you can? a pic would help.

[Mandalay_Parr]

If you can't pull the hinge pin maybe drill out the rivets and reinstall.