Disassembling a 14-Inch RCA Deluxe

[DaveCT]

Help! I recently picked up a nice red 1958 14-in RCA Deluxe (model 14P9033). It's a real beauty and in great shape. So, I sat down to start the restoration of it, and.... I can't seem to get the chassis out of the cabinet (I hope this isn't a bad omen).

This is a very tight set, so the chassis/picture tube are crammed into it. And according to the Sams, the chassis and picture tube are removed together by sliding it out the front end (not the back end). I've followed all the instructions in the Sams, removed the screws holding the front cover and chassis, and the screw holding the guide rail. I've removed the front cover, but when I pull the chassis/CRT forward to slide the assembly out, it moves about an inch and the stops. I don't know why. I don't see anything hanging it up, but then again it's hard to see anything between the CRT and the cabinet because there's so little clearance. I don't want to force the CRT because I would have to put pressure on it.

I'm totally stuck, and any help/adivce would be appreciated!!

Dave