Hose Clamps

SimonWright · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 6:02 pm

I'm about to replace some hoses on the Focus. I found that a silicone kit was cheaper than the Ford OEM parts. I don't like the screw type hose clamps - they tend to damage the hose. Ford used a sort of spring clamp that seems better suited and easier to get on/off. Where can I find those or is there a better solution?

Thanks.

Simon

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:22 pm

According to Carroll Smith in "Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners, and Plumbing Handbook", the OEM spring type hose clamps are called "Corbin Clamps". He said he had never seen a failure attributable to corbin clamps. Their constant clamping force, regardless of the tendency of hose to cold-flow is a plus. He didn't use them due to not adjustable, they snagged on his body/clothing, and he didn't like their looks.

If the current ones don't fit the new hose, they should be "auto part store" or "Ford" parts.

Threaded hose clamps suck. They need constant attention. I have them on the race car . . . which sees maybe 20 hours operation in a good season and gets lots of "check everything" attention.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

DickRasmussen wrote:

regardless of the tendency of hose to cold-flow

translation?

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:42 pm

I'll have to say I have NEVER had a hose clamp come loose on its own.

The only time I've ever had a problem was when I forgot to tighten one up- and I got a little leak.

BTW, all screw-type hose clamps are not created equal. I think the type they use on BMW/Mercedes, etc are 100000x better than the generic parts store type. The BMW/MB type have rolled edges and seem to fit and work much better and do not cut into the hose.

Jasper Pollard · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:43 pm

I've used hose clamps that have a partial stamping rather than a full perf. You get all the bite without squeezing the hose through the clamp perfs. You can source them from places like mcmaster.com.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:14 am

Arthur McDonald wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

regardless of the tendency of hose to cold-flow

translation?

Cold-flow is when a material, such as plastic or rubber, "moves" as the result of mechanical force at relatively low temperature. Carroll Smith used the term in his discussion of hose clamps but I've seen it in lots of other contexts.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 12:19 am

Jasper Pollard wrote:

I've used hose clamps that have a partial stamping rather than a full perf. You get all the bite without squeezing the hose through the clamp perfs. You can source them from places like mcmaster.com.

FYI. Carroll Smith advised using the "slots all the way through" clamps. Less chance of slipping/stripping.

Unless the properties of the silicone hose are not compatible with the oem style clamps, why not stay with "simple, cheap, and proven"?

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Interestingly GRM had an interview this month discussing hose clamps. The verdict was to use the OEM spring clamps because: 1) they are self adjusting as the rubber ages, shrinks or swells, 2) they are unlikely to be over tightened and crack plastic radiator connections
Charlie Guthrie

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Hose Clamps

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