TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:46 pm

I have hose clamps similar to the one shown in the picture below (not mine) except that they are blue. This is my third vanagon and I don't recall seeing blue clamps before. I have several small drips and am about to change out the hoses and wonder if I should reuse the clamps or get some of the screw on variety at the FLAPS. It's an '87 Wolfsburger 2wd, manual trans with alloy wheels.

Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:02 pm

some like these clamps but they need a special tool
IMO, seems like the opportunity to change to stainless hose clamps

Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:46 pm

I'm a fan of the OEM spring clamps - and yes, they can be a PITA to remove and install! :roll: Knuckle-busters fer sure!

Back in my wilder (younger) days, I got adventurous and began replacing the OEM clamps with the screw types, and I learned a valuable lesson: the aftermarket screw-type clamps sometimes let go without warning and sometimes back off over time.

If you insist on replacing the OEM clamps, follow good marine mechanic principles and DOUBLE-CLAMP everything you can - two clamps per hose end wherever possible. Then make it a ritual to recheck every clamp for tightness at least twice a year.

Even if you use the high price specialty clamps, follow this procedure. The specialty clamps I'm referring to use a sidewinder or upright screw and have a band that goes one-and-a-half times around the hose.

It's a pain, but good insurance against, say, a radiator hose pulling off - which happened to me twice before I learned better.

Hey - "Better Safe Than Walking". :wink:

Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:52 pm

I take it then, Steve, that the originals, blue or not, are reuseable?

Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:15 pm

The originals are reuseable, as long as they're not cracked or something. They're a real pain unless you have the proper tool. But it's possible to get some big pliers or something on them and re-use them.

The originals are good because they're a spring-type clamp that always maintains pressure as the hose material expands and contracts. The hose will do this with repeated cycles of heating and cooling, and it will dry out over time, too. The screw-type clamps work, but I would suggest that you recheck them after a week or so, to make sure the screw is snugged down. And if you live somewhere cold check them again in the winter.

Double clamping sounds good, too.

Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:36 pm

Thanks Steve. As you konw it's never too cold in Montana, but I'll recheck anyway.

Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:21 am

You can get the special cable spring clip pliers that makes the job much easier on the vanagon than just regular pliers or even the regular spring clip pliers. I bought mine from Sears, but others sell them also. IMO the spring clips are far superior to the screw clamps due to the constant tension they exert on the hose irrespective of temperature. BTW those spring clips are expensive so whatever you do do not through them out.