I suppose we've all got that person who's got the magic touch. He sounds like quite a character! Sorry about your loss.

Cut it out and put an action figure holding it up in its place.

I love old dryers. They are super easy to work on!

I did-- if my measurement was off, it wasn't by much. I had this happen before when doing some under-slab plumbing repairs for a new shower, but chalked it up to not troweling it much. I guess from a liability standpoint they'd rather have people mix it too stiff and retain the strength of the concrete, than too loose, and have it be brittle and break.

Thank you for the suggestion. Although at first glance it seems that it'd work, twisting the stand simply turns the bolt in its place without undoing it. In fact, I went and bought a handsaw to see whether I could slip it in to cut the bolt, but unfortunately there was no good opening where I could slip it in. If I'm not able to free it through cheap and easy methods, then I'll probably leave it as is. If it ain't broke.. (yet)

that's a big hole for a hammer drill. you might have less trouble if you go rent a rotary hammer for an hour to pop your holes.

or you can use a smaller bit and add the connections after sending it through the hole. the cable is only around 6mm without the connector.

Firewall grommets from an auto parts store or random plastic hole plugs from the hardware store (if they have a decent one) would be simpler for someone who's not handy

When you changed the water supply line did you replace the small restricter in the line? Mine was yellow and in the water supply line at the solenoid on the water filter side of the solenoid.

I was going to give my advice but after reading the other posts, they've got you covered.

That could contain asbestos. If you crush a bit up and it smells like emphysema then its asbestos.

/S DO NOT DO THIS

How many chucks could a drill bit chuck if a drill bit could chuck a drill?

Or try simply closing the door on the wires. There's a decent chance they fit under the door without making any changes!

To follow up with this, I've found heat followed by penetrating oil while it's still WARM (not hot) to help. I think it helps the oil penetrate better. Let sit 24 hours. Hope that helps, good luck!

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My Grandpa could fix anything. He was a mechanic in the Pacific theater during WW2 and then when he got back he made a side business out of it while working for the railroad. Most amazing person I've ever met. Miss him tons

First, drain the water 💦

You can probably rent an electric stair climbing dolly at your local tool rental place. Call around. They are heavy, but make it a one person job.

Most drill shanks are slightly softer thane the flutes portion. I used to “pair” the down all the time!

Edit: in a pinch you could probably chuck in drill backwards and grind it against belt sander. I’ve done that as well at home with no pairing machine.

Check the breaker first. If one half of the breaker is tripped, the heating element will not work, but the light and drum may still work.

If the entire stand will turn, then it looks to me as though your best bet would be to remove the tire and fender and then try to turn it enough to fall loose from the frame. It also looks like you might be able to slip a saw bade in at that point and cut that top retainer on one side so that it could then fall free. Good luck.

Thanks-- I posted over there on your suggestion

Is it possible to replace with one of these instead?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-PROTECH-Rheem-White-Rodgers-Gas-Control-Thermostat-SP14270M/309985289

Preferably a 2 wheel dolly with stair rollers. IF you don't have a friend, a couple of ratchet straps (to hold the tank on the dolly) and a come-along (to pull the assembly up the stairs) will work pretty well.

Alternatively, since it has failed, you don't need to worry about getting it up the stairs in one piece. So go after it with a sawzall and work out some hostility.

After some troubleshooting based on the feedback here, I think the issue might be the sensor; it currently has one of these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rheem-PROTECH-Natural-Gas-Combination-Control-Thermostat-Replacement-Kit-SP21062A/311525399

When I relight the pilot after draining, cleaning and refilling, cleaning the gas bracket, it comes roaring for like 30 minutes with a blue flame but then stops (pilot still lit) once the water is lukewarm, leading me to suspect the water sensor is failing and mistakenly thinking the water is hotter than it really is.

Certainly a more active measure than staring at the problem hoping that it fixes itself