Hose Clamps: Squeeze Type Or Screw Type?

[BDK]

I am about to change coolant hoses and need to find the best hose clamps for the job.

 

I have had trouble with weepers using the good old fashioned screw type hose clamps in the past and wondered if anyone had luck using factory style "squeeze" clamps??

 

Are they better or worse than a screw clamp when replacing hoses at say....60,000 mi.?

[MS3DALE]

I have not had any trouble using either type clamp,I just changed the hoses/coolant in my Saturn and used new "ol fashion" worm type clamps because thats what the factory had on there.

When I changed the hoses in my '99 Silverado I used new "squeeze" type clamps,again because this is what the factory had on there.

The one one thing about worm type clamps is that you can control the level of tightness/looseness you want.

[Mikeee]

GM engineers figured (and the bean counters) that the simple wire clamp worked for them for many many years.

 

I've always replace them with worm gear clamps. My simple mind just couldn't figure how that simple wire clamp would hold.

 

I've recently seen the flat type band style with the built-in "hold-open" feature. Those are nice. I re-used those.

 

When you think about it, there is only about 15 PSI in the cooling system anyway.

[redvett]

The reason the clamps were changed is because of emissions, any leakage oil,antifreeze etc. is considered by the EPA as emissions. The spring clamps keep a constant equal clamping on the hose when cold to -70F to +270F the screw clamps do not do that since they are fixed tension and do not self adjust with temp changes. BTW the spring clamps were more expensive when introduced.

[BDK]

The reason the clamps were changed is because of emissions, any leakage oil,antifreeze etc. is considered by the EPA as emissions. The spring clamps keep a constant equal clamping on the hose when cold to -70F to +270F the screw clamps do not do that since they are fixed tension and do not self adjust with temp changes. BTW the spring clamps were more expensive when introduced.

 

 

I have the spring bands that were described that came new with my truck (the kind you take off with channel locks). I may just stick with that style since they seem to adjust to temp. changes.

[ThoseDarnKids]

Using those clamps because they adjust with temperature changes doesn't make sense to me.

 

I think a more likely reason the spring clamps are used is because the manufacturer can better guarantee consistency, rather than depending on how tight a mechanic thinks a screwed on hose clamp should be. Some people seem to think you're supposed to tighten those hose clamps until the rubber starts squeezing out between the slots.

[Zembonez]

This discussion is a bit like oil change preferences. All of the above mentioned clamps are capable of doing a perfectly good job if used correctly. There is really very little actual pressure (in psi) in the cooling system... even when hot. The clamps just act as a mechanical connection between the hose and radiator... just tight enough to prevent liquid escaping.

[redvett]

Just think of the screw type clamps as a ring on your finger, one day its loose & the next its tight, same thing with the screw clamps. The spring clamps are far more consistent.

 

 

Using those clamps because they adjust with temperature changes doesn't make sense to me.

 

I think a more likely reason the spring clamps are used is because the manufacturer can better guarantee consistency, rather than depending on how tight a mechanic thinks a screwed on hose clamp should be. Some people seem to think you're supposed to tighten those hose clamps until the rubber starts squeezing out between the slots.