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Hose clamp pliers

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mjoekingz28

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Jun 20, 2011
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On my 2003 Chevrolet 2500 with the 6.0, I did a coolant exchange. And like I usually do, I pull the lower radiator hose and drain it that way. I used slip joint pliers and it took me about 12 hours to complete the job. I would say, about 4 hours was actual cleaning, work, and warming the truck with the heat on to circulate the coolant. I must have done six or seven flushes......but the other eight hours was trying to get the hose clamp back over the hose an onto the radiator.

I do not want to go through that again. It should've been five minutes with the right tool instead of eight hours with the wrong tool.

I had the option of pulling the clamp and just reinstalling some worm drive clamps, but I heard they are not reliable.

Is there something at the parts houses (locally), Sears, Grainger, Fastenal, Northern Tool that I could use to make it a cinch next time?


I have seem various times someone posted a device that looks to have a cable and a clamp on it. I saw this in my Snap-On catalog. I COULD call up the Cornwell truck if no other options- but I want a good and safe tool that won't risk breaking stuff or hurting me since the clamp is under tension.






Thank yuh
 
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mjoekingz28

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I found Cornwell hose clamp pliers and flexible hose clamp pliers.

Maybe the truck driver would know which suits my Chevyrolets the best (I have a 06 Cobalt as well).
 
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jeffyhog

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Apr 26, 2015
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I bought one of the Craftsman cable operated hose clamp pliers when they were clearing out the "made in France" models. I've struggled with those clamps in the past, and did a water pump replacement on my 2002 Chevy Avalanche a few months ago. The cable hose clamp pliers worked great. They can apply a lot of force on those clamps and keep them open so they are easy to remove and install.
I know sears sells a newer version, but it's made in China or Taiwan.
 
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KEH

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Jan 31, 2010
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Are you talking about the round spring type hose clamps? A long time ago I got a car with that type of clamp and got a pair of hose hose type pliers to deal with them. It is basically slip joint pliers with a hole drilled in the end and sides to hold the clamp. Worked fine, but I, along with other locals, would replace them with the worm drive clamps. Never had any problems with them. I googled hose clamp pliers and that type of tool is still available, made by Crescent, price less than $20, actually less than $15 AIRC. Other types, including the type with a cable, are in the $20 range, some $40ish.

Are there other types of hose clamps that I haven't seen yet? Personally, I like the worm drive types in all stainless steel.

KEH
 
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MatcoDave

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Cedarville NJ
OTC #4525
51TAPZdWqTL._SL1100_.jpg


Lisle Tools #'s 44480 and 44500 (Different sizes)
61ofcKadRCL._SX355_.jpg
 
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bdelmar2

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Apr 5, 2013
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I have a set of these:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GearWren...gclid=CLaYnJSxotICFVI7gQodJz8Bfg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Plus the angled pair just like them, don't recall if they are gearwrench or not, but they look a lot like that.

I've seen the same ones in auto parts stores.

I also have a set of the cable type, but they are fairly expensive.


Also, in my experience the worm type clamps are much more reliable than the factory style.


I have seen them lose tension, and if they get tweaked a little they are junk, and if you don't get them on nice and square they will leak. I have replaced hundreds of bad factory clamps with worm clamps.

As long as you put a worm style on correctly, not crooked, tight but not stripped out, it will work and last and can be reused until it finally rusts out so much it falls apart, or gets stripped out.

The reason the factory uses them is because a robot can install them easily compared to a regular worm clamp, not they there are better.


Kinda of like dowels in furniture. Actually a horrible way to glue wood together as there is almost no long grain to long grain contact which wood glue needs in order to bond. However a robot/machine can align them easily.
 
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66354dream

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I have the Craftsman " made in France" pair as well, they can be a bit cumbersome trying to keep them in place while you squeeze the handles but so far so good.
 
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WhiffySpark

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They all ****. I have the matco ones whoever they brand them from. I suspect Astro

The snap on ones seems to hold up the best

I would replace with worm drive clamps. I always do on customer cars.
 
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Loscaldazar

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phikshin

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Aug 10, 2010
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I'd recommend the Astro pair. I work in the trade and I've had mine for years. Never had an issue with them and if they broke I'd buy the same pair again.
 
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87quest

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Savannah, GA
I got the newer craftsman ones not long ago as I was working on the Dakota. Worked perfectly, no complaints for a home user.

noob
 
1

1cargarage

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Feb 16, 2014
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San Diego
mjoekingz28 said:
I had the option of pulling the clamp and just reinstalling some worm drive clamps, but I heard they are not reliable.
Click to expand...

It's not that worm drive hose clamps aren't reliable per se. They're plenty reliable. The advantage/benefit of the sprung band clamp is that they maintain tension regardless of hose shrinkage and expansion. Also, they can be removed and installed much faster than the worm drive ones.

I have the same red Snap On ones pictured above and LOVE them. I learned very quickly that if you try to do any work on a VW without a pair of remote hose clamp pliers, you will not get far. The only gripe I can think of with the SO ones is that you have to be careful not to allow the clamp's tab to get engaged in the sliding mechanism of the pliers. Gotta keep the clamp's tabs in the pliers' teeth/notches. Otherwise they jam up. Just something to consider when looking around at all the models out there.

In case you're interested, the Snap On ones are made in France.
 
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MatcoDave

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Cedarville NJ
jerseykat1 said:
OMG i can't believe i have never seen this one before. I have to get this, those spring clamps can be a Major PITA even with the cable style pliers. Ordering them and i will post a demonstration video soon.
Click to expand...

They're pretty cool. Sold quite a few when I was a distributor. It was definitely one of those contagious items!
 
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mjoekingz28

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Mississippi
Thanks for all the help so far. I may go to AAP and take a look at their Autocraft set. It would just be a once and a while thing for coolant service (5yr/150,000 Dex-Cool). They had good reviews as well.



But for the Cornwells, can anyone decipher the difference between their two pair.

The OW4597 Flexible

And the

ASHCP949


Out of the three which would be safer to me (hands and face) the car (hoses and nearby parts) all the while being easy peasy and being a pleasure to use versus busted knuckles and frustration.

Thanks again
 
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