Lower radiator hose

[HomerDog]

I just bought a lower radiator hose from geno's and it has wire wrapped in a coil throughout the hose. Is that supposed to be there or do you take it out? I've never replaced a radiator hose so I don't know. Thanks



Dave

 

[Bigramguy]

A lot of replacement hoses have it. It is there to stop the hose from kinking or collapsing. Leave it in,it will be fine,it's meant to be there.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Are you guys re-using those constant tension clamps on the Coolant hoses? I hate those @&6%&!@ things. PITA to squeeze without the correct tool, and tend to leak. The latest issue of the TDR has a column where (can't remember who) the author says to use them. Claimed they will contract as the hose ages & temps change. I found a SS Worm gear clamp works best. They DON'T leak on me.

 

[Bigramguy]

The constant tension (stock) clamps seem to work better,as they do stay tight. I have found regular hose clamps tend to loosen as the hose shrinks and hardens with age. They also tend to seal all the way around,which most gear clamps won't do,and will sometimes seep,especially on smaller diameter hoses.



They are a pain to get on and off unless you have the right tool(s). I have about 5 different styles to get the various different clamps off at different angles. You should be able to get 90 percent of them with just the regular straight ones.



Only time I have found them to leak is when someone has butchered them by using regular pliers (such as needle nose @ 90 degrees),which bends them and stretches them,or when they are overcompressed.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In one of my cam changes, I put on worm drive clamps. What good does a boonie box with hoses do, when you can't get the darn clamps off? It is especially hard to get the OEM lower hose clamps off. You can position worm drive clamps so they are easy. Just check them once in a while.



In principle, the constant tension clamps are great. in practice, they are hard to deal with, especially if you then to disassemble your Ram often--ya know, spend quality time with youjr pet Ram

 

[Extreme1]

I used to take the CT clamps off and throw them away. Now I use them for the same reasons as BigRamGuy. They don't vibrate loose on the race sleds either!Oo.

 

[chucksram]

Check out the Mayhew Tools Page. They make a slick tool for those OE style clamps. It is available from several tool dealers. I like this tool.

Here is their address: www.mayhew.com/automotive.htm



Chuck

 

[BGDUMMY]

I got a good set of hose clamp tools at

Harbor Freight for only 9. 99, I think.

 

[10-G]

Those ct clamps wore me out yesterday(upper and lower radiator hoses and both heater hoses). I chucked em and commuted to napa for worm screw type. Im a worm screw clamp guy. I tightened them up enough that I will not worry