Is there a special hose clamp plier for this clamp ?

BECAUSE a regular pair of vise grips OR channel locks ....jsta ain’t CUTTING IT!

Cable version is the best for various locations/orientations.

Amazon - Cable-Type Clamp Pliers

Damn GGC ! .., slick looking piece and reasonable price but my CarrotVan is tied up because of trying to work with and around these. ALSO some have said before TO BROOM these out in favor of the screw type.

What say U ?

To add ... if THESE clamps are the plan who handles these tools locally ?

I jsta checked OreillyAuto.. they have 2 styles NO PRICING or availability at my local store !!

What is with them not posting prices ?

I use ones like these. Mine are better quality but you get the idea. https://www.amazon.com/Pliers-Remov...&hvtargid=pla-634040664697&psc=1

Thx fir the links ... but the question still stands .... if you were RR a radiator.. would you broom this style and go with the screw type ?

Checked with O’Reilly.. 37 clams for the one that amazon wants 13 for !

Is this the demise of some brick and mortar?

It depends. I have reused them before many times but if they are weak or rusted then I would say no. When I bought new radiator hoses from mopar they came with new clamps so that may mean something. I don`t like screw clamps because the usually dig into the hose.

I don't like the way the screw clamps chew up the hose. The tools for the flat clamps like yours and the round wire Corbin clamps are readily available. Try the better auto parts stores for the pricier made in USA versions and the discount stores or Amazon or eBay for the cheaper copies made in you know where. The further away they are made the cheaper they are.

Or you could use Gates Power Grip clamps. They are heat shrink rings that you put on with a heat gun. Very smooth,. Nothing sticking out to cause blood leaks But they are a single use clamp. You have to cut them off. Not really suitible for on and off type applications.

Thx guyz ... I hear you on the digging in. But this reminds me of those high pressure fuel injection SCREW CLAMPS that didn’t dig in like you mentioned.....

My issue here is those OEM type clamps I have here won’t OPEN UP enough to slide much at all over the hose not to mention when it’s inserted over the male end ridge ...

Me too! Just replaced my '89 Toyota pickup 4-banger radiator. Thought I'd be cool and use the factory clamps instaed of the old corroded worm-drive screwdriver install clamps. The idea is constant tension which can accomodate swelling and shrinking with temperature. Tried using channelocks, but no go, even on top where I could get to it easily. I gave up and put the old clamps on. Man those Toyota clamps got some tension. I think it would be hard enough even with the special tool.

The factory style spring hose clamps put an even pressure on the hose under all temp ranges. As the metal expands from heat, the spring clamp flexes slightly and keeps a constant pressure. The worm gear clamps don't really do this. You tighten them up when the hose is cold. When the engine warms up and the metal expands, the clamp ends up being too tight and digs into the hose. While the spring clamps are more of a pain to work with, they are a superior clamp.

There might also be an issue with worm gear clamps and aluminum radiators. Since there is no flexing during temp changes, a worm gear clamp can potentially crack and aluminum rad nipple.

the biggest problem with using worm clamps, is guys tend to crank on them so they seal.
i use a nut driver and tighten them snug, not using a ratchet to tighten them until there are chunks of hose sticking out of the slots and the tail of the clamp is off center to the worm.

the tool goody linked to was interesting. i have never seen such an animal, and may just have to purchase something similar to see how it works. [especially keeping the clamp open while sliding the clamp up the hose to miss the retaining "bump" on the neck.]
as i have a generous selection of pliers, i have never had a clamp i couldn't remove. some have been real bastages !

DoC, i sure hope this adds to your repair knowledge when this episode is finally done !

oleHam2 ..... there beez a wealth of knowledge and experience here !

And YEAH I’m going to pick up one of those tools toooo .... BUT NOT at the price of almost 40 beans.

Btw ... that rad I pulled last nite/morning - what an interesting experience!

Couldn’t get at the rad clamp on the lower hose and had to pull it with the hose attached !

ALL THIS because the fan blades BLEW UP on the drivers side fan .... and some of the shrapnel pierced the tank and core !

wOnDeRfUl !!

Springs are better for a few reasons.
- they don't lossen over time
- and are self-correcting for hose deformation

Took tons off at work and home with my chanel locks and my one pair of pliers.Shop had the cable tool and it works good.Used it when the clamps were a pain to get to.Harbor freight has the cable one.Rocky

rOcKs .. I checked HF ... zip. How do they title it ?

Clamp pliers in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ahuOiAwc4

Gotta get one. A little cheaper on E-bay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Oil-Fue...-for-Spring-Flat-Hose-Clamp/401852660742

This is what we used in the assembly plants when we needed to remove a spring type hose clamp.
They're much stronger than the K-D tools version (we had both).
http://www.angloamericantools.com/tool_manufacturers/hazet/hose_clamp_pliers.html



The tips can be turned for accessing hard to reach clamps where you aren't coming straight on (must be done from the side).

The clamp pliers look like they have their drawbacks too.

Chanel locks or regular pliers moved out to the outer holes work fine for me removing or installing those type clams. I usually replace them with the screw type stainless steel hose clamps, but I don't tighten them until they won't tighten up any more either

$180.00? DAYUMM. I thought I was nuts payin 80~ for the Knipex version.

Knipex Cobra 85 51 250 AF

I've always used channel lock to get those flat spring clamps off but they can be a real PITA depending on what way they are rotated.

THERE you go ..... DEPENDING where they are rotated !

And on this task .. that gives THAT TERM new meaning. The shop that changed the rad before MUST HAVE HAD that tool. I think I mentioned this before- I had to pull the rad WITH the lower hose attached. I know I should have cut the hose ..., AND YEAH I wound up buying a new lower hose because it had swelled a bit .

LEADING ALL TO THIS ..... I found on eBay bid on and bought one of those cable pliers.....

$ 9.50 .... delivered to my door .... HERES the search wording.....

To add .... I wound up using a new lower hose AND new screw clamps —- those cost over 2$ each at AZ !

I used the advice of that seasoned citizen oleHam2 .... that wise guy who has changed a few of these JSTA use a hand powered nut driver to snug the clamp down

Hose clamps are like mini bulbs.Cheaper in a 10 pack.Usually I can but 10 for close to the price of the 2 packs.They are considered commercial and cheaper.Rocky

anytime i need bulbs or clamps, i do the same. it's only a buck or buck & change difference.
however, i haven't needed to buy any for quite some time.

Well oleHam2 .... all AZ had was a 2 pack !

AND being perfect honest .... with all considered ....I'm going to stick with these newer model clamps .... as long as I have the proper tool !

All AZ stores stock the bulk versions.
Some Autozone store managers are pissy about selling contractor packs of hose clamps and bulbs to non-commercial accounts.
I've had one literally tell me that I'm not supposed to be able to buy them that way.
Since I had brought in the empty box to show them the part number, she complained but sold them to me since it was obvious I had already bought them that way.

Besides that, they make more money on the two pack versions is why they pimp them.


I've got two buddies that are AZ store managers and they have no problem selling me the bulk items.

Multi purpose and cheap. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hose-Cla...p;wl14=hose%20clamp%20pliers&veh=sem

SNKee .. would you like me to give you the number to the AZ store I dealt with ? ... and maybe the sales guy ? ..... I thought that 2$ plus was steep and would have bought a 10 pack ......

But now with the new tool coming in AT A MORE THAN REASONABLE PRICE.... I’ll be sticking with the NEW STYLE clamps because of their obvious better features!

AZ did have that new tool in their rack ... 38$ !