Original Series – Tank: How to replace the short tank assembly with plastic clutch (models produced after early 2013)

Replacement of your Original Series rower’s tank assembly is a straightforward task. The process is identical for any Original Series rower equipped with a plastic clutch (produced after early 2013).

As a guide, watch the video below:

Illustration showing the side view of a WaterRower, highlighting the handle position and tank assembly.

Step 1

Remove the handle from the Handle rests and place the Handle in the full forward position.

Illustration of a WaterRower showing the rebound mechanism with arrows indicating the up and down movement.

Step 2

Stand the WaterRower upright and disconnect the bungee from the Recoil Belt as shown.

Diagram illustrating the water tank assembly positioning on a WaterRower, with arrows indicating direction.

Step 3

Lay the WaterRower down and pull the handle so the drive strap unwinds from the clutch housing. Remove the handle and drive strap from the clutch by removing the retaining bolt.

Diagram illustrating the component parts for removing the tank assembly from a WaterRower, showing JCB bolts, upper tie rods, and barrel nut.

Step 4

Remove the upper tie rods (2) and JCBs that connect the top deck to the assembly.

Note: When removing each tie rod, a barrel nut from under the top deck will come out. Set the barrel nuts aside for use in the new tank.

Diagram illustrating the WaterRower assembly with labels indicating disconnection of the sensor connector and caution to avoid dislodging guide pulleys.

Step 5

Gently remove the top deck assembly.

Diagram showing the lower tie rod bolts and barrel nut for WaterRower assembly.

Step 6

Remove the lower tie rods (2).

Note: The barrel nuts may need to be lifted out of the bottom deck with a flat head screwdriver. Set these aside for use in the new tank assembly.

Diagram illustrating the components and assembly points of a WaterRower, highlighting the tank assembly and adjustments.

Step 7

Remove the connecting nuts and bolts joining the forward riser bottom bracket to the rails.

Diagram showing the components of a WaterRower, including the tank assembly and handle, with arrows indicating movement directions.

Step 8

Remove the forward riser assembly from the tank.

Diagram illustrating the assembly of a WaterRower showing the tank, handle, and drive strap components.

Step 9

Remove the handle rest bolts and handle rests.

Illustration showing the assembly of a WaterRower with labeled components, including the tank and handle assembly.

Step 10

Remove the JCNs and JCBs securing the footboard to the rails.

Diagram showing the component parts of a WaterRower with emphasis on a removable panel indicated by an arrow.

Step 11

Remove the footboard.

Refer to the diagram below for the parts that will be transferred to the new tank assembly. Transfer the components that have the label To Be Transferred. Keep components sub-assembled as much as possible when transferring from old tank to new tank (ie. guide pulleys and S4 monitor).

Diagram showing parts of a WaterRower for replacement instructions, with labeled components indicating which parts to be transferred to a new tank assembly.

Diagram illustrating the alignment of the roll pin and clutch components for WaterRower assembly.

Step 12

Unclip the recoil belt from the clutch assembly. Remove the clutch assembly by first removing the clutch retaining roll pin.
You will need a hammer and a punch (5mm Slender Bolt) to remove the pin from the paddle shaft.

SKIP THIS STEP IF YOUR REPLACEMENT TANK ASSEMBLY HAS A CLUTCH.

Schematic diagram illustrating the components and assembly of a clutch for a rowing machine, showing the positioning of parts and arrows indicating movement.

Step 13

Unclip the recoil belt from the clutch assembly and remove the clutch from the paddle shaft.

SKIP THIS STEP IF YOUR REPLACEMENT TANK ASSEMBLY HAS A CLUTCH.

Diagram showing the components of a WaterRower tank assembly with labels indicating transfer points for parts.

Step 14

Remove the old tank.

Diagram illustrating the placement of components during the replacement of the WaterRower tank assembly.

Step 15

Place the new tank on the rails.

Diagram showing the assembly and disassembly process of a WaterRower's clutch system, with labeled arrows indicating the points of attachment.

Step 16

Replace the clutch.

Diagram illustrating the method for wrapping the Recoil Belt around the Recoil Bush in a clockwise direction.

Step 17

Replace the Recoil Belt by clipping it onto the new plastic clutch assembly.

Diagram illustrating the correct positioning of the Recoil Belt and its connection to the WaterRower components.

Step 18

Replace the Sensor Disk. The sensor disk slides on the inner ring with teeth facing upwards.

Diagram showing the assembly of lower and upper pulleys for pre-2013 WaterRower models, with notes on washer quantities.

Step 19

Replace the lower and upper guide pulleys onto the new tank.

Note: This may have been done in Step 4.

Diagram illustrating the assembly of the WaterRower tank, showing attachment points and orientation for installation.

Step 20

Replace the right and left key brackets with the bolts (4 total — 2 on each side) using the 5mm Allen key.

Note: The right key bracket will contain the monitor.

Diagram illustrating the parts of a WaterRower, showing the location for removal and assembly of the tank and related components.

Step 21

Replace the footboard.

Diagram illustrating the assembly of a WaterRower, showing the arrangement of the tank, handle, and various components.

Step 22

Replace the JCNs and JCBs securing the footboard to the rails. Keep bolts loose until all components are assembled and aligned.

Diagram showing the components of a WaterRower, indicating where to remove a clutch assembly and related parts.

Step 23

Replace the handle rest bolts and handle rests. Keep bolts loose until all components are assembled and aligned.

Diagram showing the assembly of a WaterRower with labeled parts for replacement.

Step 24

Replace the forward riser assembly.

Diagram showing the assembly layout of a WaterRower, highlighting components for assembly and adjustment.

Step 25

Replace the connecting nuts and bolts joining the forward riser bottom bracket to the rails. Keep bolts loose until all components are assembled and aligned.

Diagram showing the components of a WaterRower's tank assembly, including the clutch assembly and connecting parts.

Step 26

Replace the lower tie rod bolts (2). Keep bolts loose until all compoents are assembled and aligned.

Diagram showing the internal components of a WaterRower tank assembly, with arrows indicating areas to focus on for assembly or replacement.

Step 27

Replace the top deck and reconnect the sensor connector.

Illustration showing the placement of screws and a component in a tank assembly of a rowing machine.

Step 28

Replace the JCBs and upper tie rods. Ensure the tie rod opening in the barrel nuts are aligned with the tie rod. You may utilize a screwdriver to assist in replacing the barrel nut. Keep bolts loose until all components are assembled and aligned. Once all bolts are in alignment, go back and tighten the loose bolts from this and previous steps.

Diagram illustrating the correct positioning of the velcro on a WaterRower's assembly, indicating that the velcro should face down towards the large pulley.

Step 29

Ensure the handle assembly is facing the correct way and the drive strap is straight (with no twists). Pass the bolt end over the large pulley in the forward riser.

Diagram illustrating the connection and adjustment of the recoil belt on a WaterRower, showing three steps involving the recoil bushing and attachment method.

Step 30

Pass the drive strap around the large pulley and underneath the top deck back towards the clutch housing. The end of the drive strap passes inside (towards the center of the machine) the drive strap guide pulley (the upper of the two guide pulleys).

Illustration showing the assembly connections and adjustments for a WaterRower tank assembly, highlighting the placement of the drive strap and bungee.

Step 31

Once the drive straps are attached, gently pull on the recoil belt. This action re-winds the drive strap around the clutch.

Diagram showing the handle in the full forward position for WaterRower assembly instructions.

By continuing to pull the recoil belt, wind the drive strap onto the clutch so the handle reaches the
full forward position.

Diagram showing the correct placement of the recoil belt on a WaterRower tank, with instructions for adjustment.

Step 32

With the recoil belt is at its full length and wrapped 1½* turns around the base of the clutch assembly, pass the recoil belt inside the recoil belt guide pulley and over the two pulleys in the forward riser.

Diagram of a WaterRower showing the handle assembly and recoil belt guide system with directional arrows indicating movement.

Step 33

Stand the WaterRower upright and connect the recoil belt to the bungee. Lay the WaterRower down – it is ready to use.

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