Right Tool For Crimping Hose Clamps

[IAmGary]

The m20 coolant overflow reservoir connects to the radiator with a crimp-style hose clamp, part number 32411712735. My question is two fold: How to remove the old one? How do I tighten the new one?



I went and bought a pair of 10' end nippers from Harbor Freight because they look like the right shape (a Google search for "hose clamp crimp tool" turned up this) but I thought I'd check with the experts here before I start (possibly) mangling clamps. Will I be successful with the end nipper or should I do I have to buy the specialized tool?

[bangn]

I would just use a normal hose clamp and tighten until the clamp starts to become level with the rubber as it recesses in as you tighten. Removing I would just use a decent set of sidecutters and cut the section in half that sticks out.

[dnguyen1963]

The tool from your Google search is for installation only. To remove the crimped clamp, you either use two screw drivers (if you have enough room) to pry the clamp open or a Dremmel with a metal cut-wheel to cut the clamp (the part that keeps the clamp together, sticking out). Note that there are some clamps that have two parts, an inside open circle and a solid crimp circle outside. With these types of clamps, your only option is to cut the top of the outside clamp.

[IAmGary]

I had enough spare hose to sacrifice a little rather than mess with the hose clamp. The metal is soft but hard to cut, there's probably a special tool for removing these clamps.

However I had good results with my end nippers. There are versions of the correct tool that are like side cutters with a bar between the two blades so the nub of the ring stays nice and flat - I can see that would have been the right tool for the job, but my results with the end nippers are good enough and looking around the engine bay I'd wager a guess that other people before me have done the same thing.

[jlevie]

End nippers, especially if the cutting edges are dulled, are fine and are equivalent to the special tool.

To remove a clamp, cut the loop where the clamp is tightened. A pair of compound action side cutters works, as will a dremel with a cutoff blade.

[blueapplesoda]

I removed these types by peeling the band's end flap part up with the same nippers that you use to install them. I don't know what it's called but the part of the clamp with the three holes.