Lower Radiator Hose Tips?? Tricks??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Lower Radiator Hose Tips?? Tricks??
Replacing hoses today, having problems getting to the lower hose. 1989 coupe, AT (cooler lines), camber brace.
Should I pull the serpentine belt? Any other hints? Got extensions and wobblies, I can get to the clamps... I just can't get a hand around them. I'd cut, but kinda saving that as a last resort.
Discuss!
-Eric
Should I pull the serpentine belt? Any other hints? Got extensions and wobblies, I can get to the clamps... I just can't get a hand around them. I'd cut, but kinda saving that as a last resort.
Discuss!
-Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I replaced that hose on my '88 while I was doing the water pump (WP); so much easier then.
You might want to also remove the serp tensioner for a little more room. I'm not sure if removing the A/C compressor bracket is "necessary" though.
Take a close look and see if you can get a 1/4" drive socket onto the clamp bolts. If you have an angled pry bar it may help in breaking loose the old hose from the fitting on the WP.
You might want to also remove the serp tensioner for a little more room. I'm not sure if removing the A/C compressor bracket is "necessary" though.
Take a close look and see if you can get a 1/4" drive socket onto the clamp bolts. If you have an angled pry bar it may help in breaking loose the old hose from the fitting on the WP.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
I've got the top hose/t-stat assy about done.
I'm chasing a small coolant leak, so I think I'm gonna take CFI-EFI's advice about tracing the problem. If it turns out to be the water pump, I don't wanna have to do all this twice.
Thanks guys!
-Eric
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: Sumner Texas
If your budget will stand it, you can get a special tool for this job off of one of the tool trucks or at one of the pro auto tool online vendors such as ToolSource. This tool is a pair of pliers, of sorts, with a cable that goes out to the actuator that you can fit on the clamp. You can get the cable actuator in very tight places with one hand, then squeeze for pressure with the other.
For someone who does lots of work, one of these contraptions is WELL worth the $80 it costs.
Good luck,
For someone who does lots of work, one of these contraptions is WELL worth the $80 it costs.
Good luck,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by MBDiagMan
If your budget will stand it, you can get a special tool for this job off of one of the tool trucks or at one of the pro auto tool online vendors such as ToolSource. This tool is a pair of pliers, of sorts, with a cable that goes out to the actuator that you can fit on the clamp. You can get the cable actuator in very tight places with one hand, then squeeze for pressure with the other.
For someone who does lots of work, one of these contraptions is WELL worth the $80 it costs.
Good luck,
For someone who does lots of work, one of these contraptions is WELL worth the $80 it costs.
Good luck,
Are your hose clamps the screw type, or the spring type? Those special pliers will only work for the spring type (like on my LT1).
If you have screw type hose clamps... good luck. You might be better off jacking up the car and getting to the lower hose clamp from underneath.
-Ed
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I didn't have a problem, just got the car in the air, loosened the clamps and it came right off.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Screw-type clamps.
I've been looking for a reason to get a tension pulley breaker tool... looks like thats gonna happen now. It'll be a lot easier with that bracket out of the way.
Thanks, guys!
-Eric
btw, 180 deg t-stat =
I've been looking for a reason to get a tension pulley breaker tool... looks like thats gonna happen now. It'll be a lot easier with that bracket out of the way.
Thanks, guys!
-Eric
btw, 180 deg t-stat =
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