This. I thumbed this video up after fighting a locked-open clamp only days before seeing this. Now a few days later, I confidently locked my clamp open only to find that I couldn’t easily release with a screwdriver. :( It just kept spinning around the hose when I tried to lever it at the only position I could access.
LMFAO 🤣 I thought of something like that too. Cuz you forgot laying on top of the motor with your arm going down into the motor and back up under the motor with your leg hanging over the fender and a one-inch clearance for the socket attached to 3 universals & 2 extensions and only have 1 tooth ratchet throw 🤦🤷 some people just don't fucking get it LoL
ahh, yes! The best magic trick ever. 😂 But, I would definitely replace it with the other kind of tension spring clamp the one that has the clips at both ends so that the ends can be _squoze_ together with a pair of locking pliers. I'm reading through these comments and starting to believe this kind of clamp is there for a reason.
@Adrian Mora Yeah the manufacturer recommends they get replaced after so many years I believe. Of course they couldn't possibly just build one out of metal that'd make too much sense.
I’ve been a Ford tech most of my life…40 years. Just learned something new. Just goes to show that you are never too old to learn something new! Thanks for the that👍
You are very welcome. I have been doing this almost 20 years and I still learn things as well. Most important thing about being in this industry is keeping your eyes and ears open. Also making sure you are open to the idea that you do not know it all.
Great tip! It's what came stock pre-attached on my OEM Volvo radiator hoses I picked up at the dealer. Most clamped fine with a simple squeeze of the pliers, but one did not and this trick would've made it easier for sure.
true story. it's already a pain getting the right angle to squeeze em open and just enough for em to move. locking/unlocking em would add to frustration, possible damage, and it probably wouldn't release where ya want it to.
@@rabindrarobinson8959 either way it's a dramatic noise and a headache to deal with. I always upgrade to all aluminum instead of plastic end caps and inlets/outlets
Hated these clamps when I first encountered them. As seems to be in everything else the right tool for the job changed perspective, now favoring spring type clamps over worm/thread type as well as looking forward to more use of the quick disconnect and o-ring & spring securing clip connects in the future.
@Louie Watson If you have the right tools and preferred correct work it would make sense. Do it your way I love replacing hoses when the worm ones chew the rubber to hell
Theres a version of this clamp without the locking tab. Im a Volkswagen mechanic so i deal with them all the time. This locking tab version has began to appear on the newer models though. I just hope the person that made that decision doesn’t reproduce. Stupid design. Typical of the Germans. If it isn’t fucked, keep fucking with it until it is.
It's good to wear safety glasses when dealing with these buggers. I worked with a guy that lost 70% vision in his left eye when one broke on him. He was taking it off when it broke and shot a piece right into him.
Screw clamps? I suppose that's fine if you want to get it back in a year for coolant leaks because the rubber shrank and you threw out the constant torque clamps for ones that require re tightening
@@williamvaughan1218 eh never had that issue yet, never had a car come back to get their clamps tightened at all, every shop is going to have people come in for coolants leaks. Kind like what can go wrong, will go wrong. It happens. Now I’m not the oldest mechanic around but I’ve been doing it all my life and never had that issue, worked for the same shop majority of the time too. If and when that issue presents its self, I’ll get my extended reach 1/4” ratchet and a universal 8mm and get after it. That’s short time. I’ve never worn out my speed ratchets, or universal’s, but I’ve used up quite a few hose clamp or how’d you say it constant torque clamp pliers, from the cheapest to top dollar. Now in the other hand we’ve had plenty of cars come in with rotten, and leaking constant torque clamps lol. To each their own though.
@@NutsandBoltswithTone that sucks. I mean I suppose it Happens. We tighten things to a spec though, and literally run nothing but traditional screw style hose clamps over constant torque. In my town we are considered to be the best in our area. Have little to no complaints. Honestly the only complaints I’ve ever heard of about Ricks auto sales and service since I was a young kid is from people who have work done knowing they can’t afford their bill. Our reputation exceeds itself.
What’s more impressive is that pry-bar being used. It is sold by MATCO Tools under part # PPB3K. As a life long diesel mechanic, I’ve always carried a shirt pocket screw driver which often needs to be replaced, until I found this part # which contains this pry-bar, another one with a more aggressive bend and a straight one I carry with me. I highly recommend it.
I love these type of clamps. The Toyota ones are a little different, they are just offset so you squeeze them with pliers and do a little twist and they open. I’ve never, NEVER had one leak and they are quick and easy with no sharp tails sticking out.
One way is to use pliers to clamp it a little more, and then use your finger (in gloves) to press the one side down, then slowly release your pliers. This clamp does create some headache sometimes.
During manufacture these clamps are held in place at the very bottom using a dot of adhesive and they use a special "popper" tool that can be used like a screwdriver or has ears coming out of the sides of it so it can be twisted parallel to the hose. The other side has a different leverage scheme. This is the best clamp to use if you can mimic those OEM conditions.
Thank you and it is nice to see someone with an open mind to learning new things. You would not believe how many techs I come across that think they know it all.
For those that have some fantastic reasoning that these spring clamps are confusing or inadequate….you can use ‘constant tension’ type clamp for radiator. These spring loaded clamps are often used for turbocharger hose connections as well. Not to be confused with T-clamps or normal worm gear clamp. Look em up and you’ll likely understand what’s up. The problem with worm gear clamps is the rubber hardens or squishes over time and heat cycles- which a spring or constant tension type clamp is designed to self-adjust so to speak. And yes, we know you and a ‘mechanic’ buddy of yours has used the worm gear clamps for 40 years and never had any problems blah blah. Lolz. Thanks
My purpose in life is to replace all clamps like these with regular 8mm screw on clamps. I replaced it on every vehicle I’ve laid my hands on. It’s my personal life goal to replace it when I see them.
Its my life goal now to only put these factory hose clamps back on vehicles I service with these, hell I might go buy or find some just to replace the new clamps with those.
You know I sell parts for a living and people brought those in all the time to try and trade them out for worm gear clamps. And they are so baffled when I tell them not to. Lol those clamps are awesome keep them out give them to me
I've had screw type hose clamps on my hvac hose lines for 2 years now and haven't had a problem. I just tighten them till they fit flush with the hose on the fitting and then give them a quarter turn or till they're snug but not over tight. No loosening or leakage From what I know the fluctuating temps of most domestic cars are not high enough to affect the application of screw type hose clamps. They will still hold the hose in place and allow the hose to breath a bit. Unless your car overheats or you over tighten the screw type clamps, they should be ok to use. Maybe just check them every couple months. They are easier to get and install/uninstall, especially when you're in a jam. However, the oem ones are always better for the intended application. I get the oem ones from pick and pull when donor cars are available.
Nice when they still have the coating. Get some rust on them the tab will bend instead of releasing. That bend on the small prybar is helping it looks like.
I see everyone say these are hard to use. Has nobody heard of a damn pair of needle nose pliers or something similar? These are super easy to remove and reinstall.
If you do this for a living or do this often get the correct pliers for this, for hard to reach areas they make special extension ones where the jaw is at the end of a long flexible wire
Ohhhhhhh when it's right in front of you with nothing else in the way!! Not when it's balls deep stuffed in between the turbo and firewall.
This. I thumbed this video up after fighting a locked-open clamp only days before seeing this. Now a few days later, I confidently locked my clamp open only to find that I couldn’t easily release with a screwdriver. :( It just kept spinning around the hose when I tried to lever it at the only position I could access.
Balls deep.... You just got +25 horsepower mate
LMFAO 🤣 I thought of something like that too. Cuz you forgot laying on top of the motor with your arm going down into the motor and back up under the motor with your leg hanging over the fender and a one-inch clearance for the socket attached to 3 universals & 2 extensions and only have 1 tooth ratchet throw 🤦🤷 some people just don't fucking get it LoL
@@DollarBillsRabbithole and have one tooth. Preach it
Use a bigger hammer
I love the "kiss" back to my knuckles when they release😂
I push/hold the clamp with 1 feinger on the bottom side. I push the clamp to the radiator neck with 1 feinger and then do this trick.
Thats the fun part😂😂😂 drop every tone voice of curse word you thought you never heard before
Yes....OUCH!!! I love the MATCO screwdriver/pybar
DO NOT do this on a plastic hose nipple. It will surely break any plastic that’s 10 years or 100k miles old.
Bahahahha yep I’m nervous every time .. well here goes!
I grind the tab off so they close slowly avoiding damage
Yes I use pliers and rock the clamp to release them slowly
Exactly 💯
Change that 10yr old 100k radiator lol...but no it won't
I've just learned to vice grip them things after so many OUCH moments.
I just have a pair of Gearwrench cable hose clamp pliers. They work incredibly great.
Easy when you can actually access the clamp like that
Thanks! 15year mechanic. Got a lot of tricks up my sleeve, one of them is throwing this clamp away.
15 year hack.
Yikes, I would tell people you do that.
Finally someone said it.
This is a constant tension clamp. They are far better than screw clamps.
ahh, yes! The best magic trick ever. 😂 But, I would definitely replace it with the other kind of tension spring clamp the one that has the clips at both ends so that the ends can be _squoze_ together with a pair of locking pliers. I'm reading through these comments and starting to believe this kind of clamp is there for a reason.
Looks like a good way to to break a old plastic radiator
Should probably be replaced if it's that brittle anyway
@Adrian Mora Yeah the manufacturer recommends they get replaced after so many years I believe. Of course they couldn't possibly just build one out of metal that'd make too much sense.
@matthewmorgan582 oh no of course not. It's not like they save 100 mil per year doing this stuff
@@PneumaticFrog100 mil 😅😂
I got more trouble getting them to lock open! Closing em is the easy part
Waterpump pliers
Totally wasn’t fighting one of these this morning 😅
I’ve been a Ford tech most of my life…40 years. Just learned something new. Just goes to show that you are never too old to learn something new! Thanks for the that👍
You are very welcome. I have been doing this almost 20 years and I still learn things as well. Most important thing about being in this industry is keeping your eyes and ears open. Also making sure you are open to the idea that you do not know it all.
Great tip! It's what came stock pre-attached on my OEM Volvo radiator hoses I picked up at the dealer. Most clamped fine with a simple squeeze of the pliers, but one did not and this trick would've made it easier for sure.
Step one. Never lock them in place. Squeeze and slide further down the hose 😂 ain’t got time for that
Facts..
true story. it's already a pain getting the right angle to squeeze em open and just enough for em to move. locking/unlocking em would add to frustration, possible damage, and it probably wouldn't release where ya want it to.
And BAM plastic radiator inlet explodes.
Not a chance
And BAM then you just saved yourself broken down on the freeway because your crusty ass radiator was found before hand...
No no no it implodes, check dicrionary!!!
@@rabindrarobinson8959 you're not wrong!
@@rabindrarobinson8959 either way it's a dramatic noise and a headache to deal with. I always upgrade to all aluminum instead of plastic end caps and inlets/outlets
Thank You!!!!! All these Years i always fought w pliers to unlock them!!! I never thought to unlock w a simple screwdriver!!! 😅😅
Hated these clamps when I first encountered them. As seems to be in everything else the right tool for the job changed perspective, now favoring spring type clamps over worm/thread type as well as looking forward to more use of the quick disconnect and o-ring & spring securing clip connects in the future.
People hate these clamps but they serve a purpose
Correct. They expand and contract by way of temperature. I use to change them out with those worm clamps until I figured out why they use them.
They really are the better clamp to use versus a worm gear clamp.
Yeah, to go right in the trash.
@Louie Watson If you have the right tools and preferred correct work it would make sense. Do it your way I love replacing hoses when the worm ones chew the rubber to hell
Theres a version of this clamp without the locking tab. Im a Volkswagen mechanic so i deal with them all the time. This locking tab version has began to appear on the newer models though. I just hope the person that made that decision doesn’t reproduce. Stupid design. Typical of the Germans. If it isn’t fucked, keep fucking with it until it is.
I must be the only person who can handle these clamps just fine with a pair of channel locks. 😅
Got to realize what the educational level of mechanics these days
@@lard1892 I can't I'm already over the hill man.
What!.there's a locking tab?
In all of my years, I have yet to see one of those style clamps with that lock tab.
Work on some European cars, bmw, Mercedes use them, most of the time i just bend the tap down and then put it on like a regular clamp
Ford has a lock on them.
You haven't been doing it for years, then. 😂
They're on a lot of Japanese cars too.
You must drive 70's and 80's vehicles because literally every Auto manufacturer use them, and has been since the 90's 😂😂
If you know your way around a set of Chanel locks those clamps are really not a problem
It's good to wear safety glasses when dealing with these buggers. I worked with a guy that lost 70% vision in his left eye when one broke on him. He was taking it off when it broke and shot a piece right into him.
Thank you!! Consider it done!!
Shit you specified "left"
Always wear safety glasses people.
They are quite angry like coil springs.
The shop I work for requires us to toss them and use traditional hose clamps. Whenever we encounter them
Screw clamps? I suppose that's fine if you want to get it back in a year for coolant leaks because the rubber shrank and you threw out the constant torque clamps for ones that require re tightening
@@mudswamp3334 have many customer come in for coolant leaks that are resolved by retorqueing screw clamps.
@@williamvaughan1218 eh never had that issue yet, never had a car come back to get their clamps tightened at all, every shop is going to have people come in for coolants leaks. Kind like what can go wrong, will go wrong. It happens. Now I’m not the oldest mechanic around but I’ve been doing it all my life and never had that issue, worked for the same shop majority of the time too. If and when that issue presents its self, I’ll get my extended reach 1/4” ratchet and a universal 8mm and get after it. That’s short time. I’ve never worn out my speed ratchets, or universal’s, but I’ve used up quite a few hose clamp or how’d you say it constant torque clamp pliers, from the cheapest to top dollar. Now in the other hand we’ve had plenty of cars come in with rotten, and leaking constant torque clamps lol. To each their own though.
I see coolant leaks all the time that are simply the worm drive clamps someone put on.
@@NutsandBoltswithTone that sucks. I mean I suppose it Happens. We tighten things to a spec though, and literally run nothing but traditional screw style hose clamps over constant torque. In my town we are considered to be the best in our area. Have little to no complaints. Honestly the only complaints I’ve ever heard of about Ricks auto sales and service since I was a young kid is from people who have work done knowing they can’t afford their bill. Our reputation exceeds itself.
First couple times putting these suckers on I’ve had some gnarly pinches. Master tech showed me this trick after laughing. 😁
Never ever seen one of this before! Worked as a mecanic my whole life.
Now change the radiator 😂😂😂
"customer states coolant leak"
nah,
costumer states it overheated due to dried out coolant 😂
Just buy the special pliers or release tool. . . no snapping action on release.
From my experience these clamps almost always jump the lock tab if you just squeeze it so usually no special pliers either just a stubnose will do
Bingo
What’s more impressive is that pry-bar being used. It is sold by MATCO Tools under part # PPB3K. As a life long diesel mechanic, I’ve always carried a shirt pocket screw driver which often needs to be replaced, until I found this part # which contains this pry-bar, another one with a more aggressive bend and a straight one I carry with me. I highly recommend it.
I’ve been doing it wrong for years lol UA-cam always reminds me of how many mistakes I’ve made over the years 😂
If you do it like this you will keep on doing it wrong.dont lock them at all.its not rocket science.
I would just use pliers it does the job perfectly.
Thats what I use
The ol squeeze and twist gets it every time
Golly! Thank you so much! You’re smarter than all of us and smarter than a hose clamp! We would’ve never figured that out on our own!
I am happy to help you out then. Keep trucking along
I love these type of clamps. The Toyota ones are a little different, they are just offset so you squeeze them with pliers and do a little twist and they open. I’ve never, NEVER had one leak and they are quick and easy with no sharp tails sticking out.
Exactly. I used to throw them away and use worm drive until I found out these are actually better.
*cracks neck of radiator*
everything in my path to beer fridge is now my enemy.
So true
This is pure poetry my friend
If you can't figure that out.... call the mechanic
This is the exact video I need, about to change a coolant hose on my vw and they have been a nightmare for me before, thank you 😊
One way is to use pliers to clamp it a little more, and then use your finger (in gloves) to press the one side down, then slowly release your pliers. This clamp does create some headache sometimes.
I've found that a Very large pair of channel lo
Locks,damn phone, works pretty well.
Or you can just use a set of hose clamp pliers .
I was clenching the whole time just waiting for it to let go and bite you. 😂
You just saved me so much time I can't believe I've never thought about😂
I fit these at work and can tell you other than using the correct clip release tool the best tool is pliers
Part number?
@@commonsenseisdeadin2024 for what?
These are by far the best clamps! You get a full 360° of clamping power
Yessir
During manufacture these clamps are held in place at the very bottom using a dot of adhesive and they use a special "popper" tool that can be used like a screwdriver or has ears coming out of the sides of it so it can be twisted parallel to the hose. The other side has a different leverage scheme. This is the best clamp to use if you can mimic those OEM conditions.
I love it when it's cold outside and one of these pops my finger at 6:30 in the morning.
And there it is. Now your gunna need a new radiator cuz the neck broke off
Radiator shouldn't be that brittle, and plus the rubber hose dampens out alot of the impact
@@midwesthustla02 you haven't changed enough radiators
That mini prybar looks perfect for that task.
Where can I find what appears to be an offset screwdriver like the one he just used? Do I have to wait for a tool truck to show up at his shop?
We learn every day. thanks to the fellow tech
I have definitely bit myself a couple times. It's not a fun day when that happens
NOT FOR YOU, BRO,BUT IT IS FOR THE HARDWARE STORE WHO SOLD YOU THAT DAMNED THING!!! 😑😑😑
Ima try not to punch a hole in my hand or my hose.
I love those matco tiny prybars! I use em on every job.
The worst is when they randomly decide to release on their own and smack your fingers.
Yup, you spend a minute trying with some pliers but as soon as you touch them with your fingers pop!
Never replace these with the ones with the screw,these are meant to expand and contract when it gets hot and then cools.
He went to hose clamp University for this 😂
I love those little Matco beefy pocket screwys
Getting it to release is "pesky," so I'll show you a clip of me locking it.
well written.
Pros throw these away and use stainless worm drive clips with shellac. Don't be that guy with all the come-backs 😂
You spelled hacks wrong.
Man I so want to thank you. So much help. Much love.
Awesome video Tony. It’s so crazy, I uploaded almost the same video at the same time today.
Oh wow crazy
Thank you for making this short bro.. any tips or tricks are truly appreciated. I liked and now subscribed 👍🏼
Thank you and it is nice to see someone with an open mind to learning new things. You would not believe how many techs I come across that think they know it all.
When those things release and smack you in the tip of your finger, holy cow 😵
That hurts for sure
I have always hated the design of those clamps. I always make an effort to not allow them to lock open. The lock tab should be removed.
Sometimes it is better to remove the locking tabs especially in hard to reach areas.
I had no idea these clamps lock open like that. Pretty cool
Ever seen one of those plastic radiator spouts crack from that snapping action
Never reuse these spring clamps. Use stainless gear clamps. They will not leak.
Bad idea.
That's a new type clamp I haven't seen before. Thanks for the tip.
New? Like mid 90's
@@beekeeper8474 I like 90s cars and none of the ones I’ve worked on have these clamps. Nearly all newer cars I’ve touched have them
Overtime those will weaken if you're going to do that job you might as well replace them with hose and put two of them on each end
I'm glad someone still knows how s*** works
Just buy the hose clamp pliers and save time and skin
Plastic pipes can break easily by doing that.
No way....ive done so many of these over the years....never came close to breaking one
@@midwesthustla02 then your knowledge better than mine 👊👊👊
They are called “constant tension band clamps”. Knipex makes a great set of locking pliers for them.
Really instructional video for this. Think my dog could figure out.
I usually just open and close it frantically till it decides to do what I want. Thanks for the tip
I have special pliers for those clamps.
You can just pull the tab up with pliers.
the whole video you are talking about taking off the clamp, but in fact, you never get the clamp off! BRILLIIANT
When you got the right tools you get the job done.
There is a proper tool for opening these and closing the clamps.
I always replace them with a worm clamp, not chancing braking plastic.
These spring clamps are more reliable
For those that have some fantastic reasoning that these spring clamps are confusing or inadequate….you can use ‘constant tension’ type clamp for radiator. These spring loaded clamps are often used for turbocharger hose connections as well.
Not to be confused with T-clamps or normal worm gear clamp.
Look em up and you’ll likely understand what’s up. The problem with worm gear clamps is the rubber hardens or squishes over time and heat cycles- which a spring or constant tension type clamp is designed to self-adjust so to speak.
And yes, we know you and a ‘mechanic’ buddy of yours has used the worm gear clamps for 40 years and never had any problems blah blah. Lolz. Thanks
My trade school lecturer used to call them "buggar me" clips.
Sometimes when they get old they break
My purpose in life is to replace all clamps like these with regular 8mm screw on clamps. I replaced it on every vehicle I’ve laid my hands on. It’s my personal life goal to replace it when I see them.
@@vsplxsh_rc8171 8mm socket buddy. That’s how easy it is to fix that. Beats dealing with this shit.
@vSplxsh_RC he'll figure it out after everything breaks. But until then, he's smarter than a mechanical engineer.
Its my life goal now to only put these factory hose clamps back on vehicles I service with these, hell I might go buy or find some just to replace the new clamps with those.
Congratulations on the worst take in this thread.
@@VinceCannavaII chillax son, it’s just a hose clamp. “Everything break”? 🤣 chillax
You know I sell parts for a living and people brought those in all the time to try and trade them out for worm gear clamps. And they are so baffled when I tell them not to. Lol those clamps are awesome keep them out give them to me
Dude I spent an hour trying to do this on a radiator bro I was pissed but now I know thanks 😂
Easiest Access ....😅 Tight spots not a chance.
The engineers who designed this crap deserve to work on all of it
I've had screw type hose clamps on my hvac hose lines for 2 years now and haven't had a problem.
I just tighten them till they fit flush with the hose on the fitting and then give them a quarter turn or till they're snug but not over tight. No loosening or leakage
From what I know the fluctuating temps of most domestic cars are not high enough to affect the application of screw type hose clamps. They will still hold the hose in place and allow the hose to breath a bit.
Unless your car overheats or you over tighten the screw type clamps, they should be ok to use. Maybe just check them every couple months.
They are easier to get and install/uninstall, especially when you're in a jam.
However, the oem ones are always better for the intended application.
I get the oem ones from pick and pull when donor cars are available.
Fuuuu! I have been using a pick to pull up and then pushing down with a screwdriver. So simple!! Thanks haha
It's no fun until you smash a finger, or two!
They are not tricky to get off or on.
Nice when they still have the coating. Get some rust on them the tab will bend instead of releasing. That bend on the small prybar is helping it looks like.
Exactly the video I was looking for to tighten hose clamp.
Or just remove that garbage and put a worm screw style hose clamp on…
Damn straight
@vSplxsh_RC I’ve literally put THOUSANDS of worm screw clamps on and never once had a come back in my 6 years of working on cars…
used to do the same, until I learned how to properly handle those. Now I would only put a worm screw on if no other way.
The correct way is throw it a way and get a worm gear clamp. Just don't do like every shade tree guy and over tighten it.
😂 I did that the other day but I was so tired I didn’t realize my thumb was way too close. You already know what happened next 😩
I love this always fight with those pos clamps thanks for tip…
no
you replace it with a proper clamp
I see everyone say these are hard to use. Has nobody
heard of a damn pair of needle nose pliers or something similar? These are super easy to remove and reinstall.
Best idear ever best pip clamp ever devised
These feel great when they come loose on cold hands!!🤣
If you do this for a living or do this often get the correct pliers for this, for hard to reach areas they make special extension ones where the jaw is at the end of a long flexible wire
Yes I have 2 different pairs of these.
Nice video good job! Thanks for the lesson