quote:
Originally posted by ebc:
Good thread. What kind of pliers works well on those constant pressure clamps that come on newer cars? Those things can be a bear!
Regards,
ebc
We have thrashed hoses around with no definite conclusion. Can we do better on clamps? Guess I should have looked closer at what is on my 02 Cavalier. I am most familiar with 2 different types. The one piece wire ones with the ends turned up. In the past, when I have had to remove one of them, once off, I pitched them and replaced them with the SS band gear type. I did not use kind words like ''a bear'' for the originals. There is also a similar working clamp that is a thin metal band with little bent up prongs only slightly easier to remove. There are also some cheaper looking things, galvanized with a smaller screw than the gear clamps.
As long as I owned good iron, the gear clamps served me well. Since I have been here, others have suggested the gear clamps won't stay tight on aluminum fittings. You need a clamp with constant spring tension. As I think about it, I have had more trouble having to retighten gear clamps on newer stuff.
They used to make special pliers for the wire style clamps. They were mostly just regular pliers except they had a hole the end of each side the wire fit into holding it securely. I never bought any figuring I could fight each clamp once getting it off and then pitch it. Realizing the geared clamps don't work as well as they used to, I considered buying a pair of those pliers, but just don't like the wire clamps. They never open up enough to come off easily, and often will not tighten up enough if you ever remove and replace a hose.
So what works well to clamp hoses to aluminum fittings? I think somebody posted a picture of a clamp that worked like the gear clamps, but had steel springs in the middle. Even if they are expensive and hard to find, could be worth it if you plan to keep a car long enough to do a few hose changes.
