Camco 09951 Professional Water Heater Element Socket

Great product for removing standard water heater elements. Half wish they’d sell them in hardware stores, but I also could imagine people using them for installs too resulting in another oil filter type war.

Worked to remove and install electric water heater element. I used a half inch breaker bar.

I tried using the cheap heating element stamped tool first on my Suburban 12 gallon water heater and it slipped off causing me to slice my thumb open on the propane shield, I bought this socket thinking I might have to modify it to fit around the front shield not no modification was necessary, it fit like a charm and with a breaker bar and shorr extension I was able to get it off no problem.

I use this all time at work, I have a right angle impact and that is the easiest way to remove a Atwood element.

This is the same socket that RV service reps use at a much cheaper price than RV dealers well charge. My water heater element was faulty and seized; this socket did the job to get it removed and replaced.

I spent over an hour trying to replace an element using one of those cheap "wrenches" made out of hexed-out pipe. The top element had been replaced more recently and was an easy swap, but the bottom element was absolutely rusted in place. On the bottom element, the soft pipe material kept rounding off whenever any kind of serious torque was applied. I was about to give up and replace the whole heater (it was old enough that wouldn't be unreasonable) when I decided to try a better tool first.I used this and a low-power impact gun and had the element loose in seconds. Man, what a difference. I'm sure the impact gun is a terrible idea and is likely to destroy the water heater and I'm not recommending it, but given it was a choice between trashing the whole water heater I was comfortable taking the risk.

Tried other sockets to remove water heater element but due to beveled edge of socket only rounded it off. This socket is cut flush to the end and was able to better grip the element and successfully remove it. Best if used on impact wrench.

Had purchased the one that looks like a spark plug wrench that is sold everywhere. To no avail it just was a waste of time. This one actually works and doesn’t slip off and you can use your own ratchet or breaker bar and know you gave leverage other than using a screwdriver. Wish I had purchased first and that it was advertised more to know that it was an option or best option then a plumber.