Are coolant hose clamps re-usable?
 

I have a 93 LT1 A4 and I really ought to change my upper radiator hoses this winter. Can I re-use the stock clamps, or will I need to purchase new ones? I know that this is sorta dumb, but I don't want to re-use the clamps only to have them fail.
Thanks,
-Ed

PS... is it re-use or reuse or re use? None of them look right to me... :rolleyes:

I have not changed the hose clamps on my '88 , but in the past I have never replaced hose clamps unless they were physically damaged.
I can't see why the Vette clamps would be different from my other GM cars.
According to Dictionary.com it's reuse

I agree. Unless they are rusted or obviously damaged reuse them.

You be the judge
 

If they are in good shape they can be reused but it they have some age it is a good idea to change such a cheap part. :yesnod:

I had my mechanic change mine out while he was replacing my hoses.
My 92 had those "squeeze" type clamps.
They were switched to the ones that were tighten with screws.
To me those seem safer.

Oh man...and on top of that, much more user friendly. Apparently there's some special tool to get the "squeeze" clamps off easily. Yeah...I don't have one, and those little f'ers turned my "quick" TB coolant bypass into an all-day affair! When the tin snips came out, I knew there was no going back...

According to Gordon Killebrew the "squeeze" type hose clamps were used by GM because based upon their size they provide a known specific clamping force and should be reused unless rusted or damaged. Using screw type fasteners is less accurate and can lead to failure due to inadequate clamping force, or damage to the filler necks/hose ends due to too much force. It's worth it to buy the squeze clamp tool and use the correct part for the larger hoses on the Vette.

Gordon also said that the smaller squeeze clamps like the 1/4" and smaller type used on the fuel lines under the fuel door were inadequate and it was his suggestion to replace them with the screw type clamps there.

NAPA sells an excllent squeeze clamp removal tool for about what it costs to replace the original clamps with new screw type.

Did Gordon calculate how many times the spring clamps can be cycled before their "specific clamping" force changes?

No disrespect intended, but geez, these are hose clamps, its not exactly rocket science :cheers:

Actually, I agree with you. However, you'd be amazed how many people driving cars don't know when to stop turning the screw. Most overtighten.

My first 2 years of college I worked at a gas station where we did repairs and saw the results of lots of home mechanics as well as some so called "professionals". It was amazing how many people would screw the clamps way too tight. The hose ends would bulge out of the clamps or the clamps would be cutting into the hose something awful.

I had to be convinced myself, but I've found that using the clamp type tool (a decent quality one) is actually much faster and easier than screwing and unscrewing the screw type clamps. Plus I know the clamping tension is set correctly and the same every time.

AND it's worth at least 10 rwhp. ;)

Geez, I guess Gordon doesn't hang out at the drag strip and see those clamps blow their wad like a cheap porno. I went with marine stainless clamps, they don't cut into the hose like the cheap harware store ones.

Eric