1998 v70 How to get those hose clamps off ?

Post by **MrAl** » 10 May 2015, 06:08

Hello there,

There are a lot of hose clamps on this car in the engine compartment. They are the ones that dont have any screw or anything, just some sort of fastener and a band of stainless steel. They are everywhere.

Question is, how do we get these things off ?

Thanks.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 10 May 2015, 06:22

Have a look at the posts in this link below.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=39299

The clamps you describe above are cut off where they are crimped.
Must be replaced with new ones.
Many use the screw type clamps for obvious reasons as replacements.

Post by **MrAl** » 10 May 2015, 07:58

Hi,

Wow, that makes testing the systems that much harder, having to cut the clamps off each time. That's nuts too.
I'll probably have to use the screw type then for now, but not sure what i will do about those tiny ones, the 3/8 inch hoses. Not sure if the screw type will go that small. I'll have to check around i guess. Wow, everything about this car spells "crazy, nuts, why did they do it that way".

But thanks for the info, i'll have to give all this some thought.

Post by **j-dawg** » 10 May 2015, 08:09

Oetiker clamps are cheaper and faster to install, they don't back off, and they're take up less space.

Not saying they're great - I replace them with worm-drive hose clamps every time - but there are reasons.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 May 2015, 08:37

I've got a pair of cutters that specifically made for them but they rarely work due to the space limitations caused by stuff around the clamps. In many cases I go after them with a screwdriver and pry them apart but on a few I've used a Dremel tool to cut them off.

...Lee

Post by **MrAl** » 11 May 2015, 00:42

Hi again,

Sounds like some good ideas.

I understand what you mean about the access to the clamp 'stem' or whatever you call it, the place where it is crimped or fastened together. What i was thinking of trying was to 'rotate' the clamp until the stem is clearly visible and accessible. That is, rotate it around the hose if possible being careful of course not to damage the hose. If it rotates, then the stem might be more accessible. I will have this problem with some of the clamps too.

I wonder if smaller electrical wire cutters would work...

Post by **E Showell** » 11 May 2015, 08:06

My mechanic has also advised that Oetiker clamps are superior for their designed purpose since they spread the clamping load all the way along the circumference of the clamp, as opposed to worm drive clamps which tend to point load. Use of worm drive clamps on cooling system hoses in particular can lead to pinpoint leaks that can be very difficult to diagnose. Accordingly, I avoid them in those applications.

Post by **cn90** » 11 May 2015, 08:59

I don't think so. Both Oetiker and worm-type clamping force is similar. Many cars have regular clamp on cooling hoses and do just fine.

Oetiker is used because:

1. Takes less time on assembly line.
But note that Volvo, BMW etc. still use a combination of both clamps in their new vehicles.

2. Takes less space.

3. Rotating components such as axles, you don't want regular clamp there. Oetiker is better.

Having said that, for regular hoses I use standard clamps.

I only use Oetiker in tiny hoses etc.

Best source is ebay: buy a set of 10 Oetiker clamps for let's say $3. Buy different sizes.
The crimping tool: Home Depot has it in the lawn sprinkler dept. About $10 for the tool.

Post by **erikv11** » 11 May 2015, 09:44

E Showell wrote:My mechanic has also advised that Oetiker clamps are superior for their designed purpose since they spread the clamping load all the way along the circumference of the clamp, as opposed to worm drive clamps which tend to point load. ...

Agreed, this is well known, also agree with cn90's 1-2-3 points.

And yet ... I basically always use worm drive clamps, except on axle boots or if somebody hands me a free Oetiker for some other hose application. I really dislike the Oetikers because they are one-time use and not nearly so readily available.

Post by **MrAl** » 11 May 2015, 10:34

Hi,

I would not mind using the one time use clamps, but then it would make system testing harder when i have to take off the hoses for a quick test. Therefore i can only think that using the worm gear clamps would be ok initially, then once everything is clearly up and running normally, switch to the better clamps. I find that some of these hoses even stay on without any clamp, so with a gentle application of a worm gear clamp it should be ok i guess, for the initial testing.
Sound good enough or no ?