TheSamba.com :: View topic - Modified clamshell coolant hose heat issues

Fri May 03, 2013 12:02 pm

Took out the wiring that protects the steering shaft and hoses but now I have my 205/75/14 touching the coolant hoses not the steering shaft. I'm not worried about the hoses pinching as they are full diameter when clamshell is closed but I'm concerned about the temperature of the hoses touching my wheel as I'm driving. Any ideas that won't need welding or fabrication of the original clamshell? Just figure the heat from the hoses shouldn't be touched by the tire at all times.

Fri May 03, 2013 1:39 pm

I'm not advocating this, but...

I have run my van with the spare tire (deflated 225/70-14) pressing against the coolant hose for the last 15k+ miles and it's been fine. (I kept the retainer wire thingy) I do a 5-tire rotation every ~3k miles, so I periodically see/use the tire from the clamshell and inspect the hose. So far, so good.

Fri May 03, 2013 1:46 pm

I would not be concerned with the heat from the hoses touching the wheel or tire. I'd be more concerned about abrasion wearing through the hoses. You could add something like this to the hoses to protect them. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=6521

Fri May 03, 2013 2:13 pm

Van-Cafe sells a special pair of hoses that supposedly rout around a larger spare tire.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1626_673/sil...oy_wh.html

Fri May 03, 2013 2:55 pm

I took out the wiring that normally keeps the spare in place. I used a couple of tie down straps to secure the spare to the clamshell itself. My cooling hose is just a straight one from the autoparts store. My spare does touch it firlmly, but no pinches. No problems so far. I realize the tie downs will wear with age and weather, but I can replace them once a year or two. They are real cheap.

Fri May 03, 2013 3:02 pm

I use a piece of inner tube and strap it to the coolant hose with a couple of zip ties to both protect against abrasion and to a lesser extent heat. YMMV..