19 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

I haven't had a problem, issue waiting to happen?
Do i need to step it up to the band style hose clamp?
J~

[Jim Boemler]

The band style is a step down, not up. The stock clamps are actually very good, reliable, and easy to use. Most importantly, they seal by putting a constant pressure on the hose joint, rather than holding a fixed position.

[ChrisA]

+1

[trimless]

+2

[davew]

I totally disagree.

Any squeeze type clamp is designed to be used once and then discarded. They are also designed with a very narrow range of use. A slightly smaller diameter hose will not have enough spring pressure to seal. A slightly larger hose will require a different clamp.

Use only stainles steel clamps with slots that go all the way through. The style with the raised ridges, commonly used on German cars, are prone to failure when reused a few times. Tighten with a 1/4" drive ratchet and socket. A screwdriver is not enough torque. But use your wrist, not your elbow as a torque wrench.

At $1 each, is it really worth the savings to reuse 15 or 20 year old clamps?

Dave

[Jim Drago]

I agree with Dave. You can Ask Danny Steyn his opinion as well, the stock clamp reused several times cost him probably the best Rossini engine I have seen in his car at Atlanta. The clamp was in place and the hose blew off.

Jim

[Danny Steyn]

Yup - so sorry to see that engine go!!! OEM clamp let go under pressure. Had been good for the 2 test sessions but gave up the ghost in qualifying.

We no longer use the OEM clamps and now double band clamp all the major hoses, plus we have installed Aaron's water pressure warning kit.

[LarryKing]

This one time? At band clamp?

[Danny Steyn]

This one time? At band clamp?

too funny

[KentCarter]

I believe this is the clamp you are looking for:
http://www.amazon.co...k/dp/B007EWLXDA

[Alberto]

I had a failure of stock clamps on my RX7. As they get tired or re-used multiple times, they lose tension. They work great though on hoses that you don't remove very often - which is most of them. However, I've had far more failures using worm gear hose clamps.


The key to reliable usage of stock clamps (and any clamps for that matter) is to have the right one for the application.
- Stock coolant hose, stock parts, stock clamps work great (for me anyway) for about 5-10 years.
- Stock coolant hose, after market part, stock clamps may not be the best choice - ex: stock hose to aftermarket radiator.
- Aftermarket hose - consider an aftermarket clamp
Stock hoses are form fit for the part so they will fit best and the stock spring clamps have the correct amount of torque for the hose size and material.

For the Miata, I replaced almost all the clamps with new ones during the build.


Worm gear hose clamps suck. I hate them with a passion. I have had more failures due to worm gear hose clamps than I ever had on stock, spring style clamps. And I'm talking about auto parts hose clamps. I'm talking about the "good" ones from Pegasus Racing and other race supply places.
Reasons include:
1. worm gear hose clamps do not expand or contract as the hose and whatever the hose is clamped to expands and contracts. Most people wind up tightening them really tight to compensate which leads to another failure mode...
2. worm gear hose clamps dig into the rubber hose and chew it up eventually causing the hose to fail.
3. worm gear hose clamps often loosen up due to thermal expansion so you have to keep tightening them.


In scenarios where I need an aftermarket hose clamp on a hose and part that sees thermal expansion cycles, I use a constant torque hose clamp like these from Breeze. These are great b/c the allow for expansion and contraction from heat cycles and they do not chew up the hose.

http://www.amazon.co...sl_20bellk708_b


I used to have a cool link to a vid on YouTube comparing heat cycles and how the various hose clamps behave but can't find it.

[Johnny D]

Lol, Kent, I saw $62.17 and thought WTF and then saw the 10 pack.

Thanks guys.
J~

[FTodaro]

Having had my own issues with leaking clamps I am going to, using double worm gear clamps on the fluid hoses. a little sealer does not hurt either.

[Brendan O]

what kind of sealer do i buy?

[FTodaro]

Permatex ultra grey works on everything Miata.

[Brendan O]

Thxs

[Armando Ramirez]

Does not Permatex Grey dry hard? Would this work well with the flexible hoses?

Thxs

[FTodaro]

Does not Permatex Grey dry hard? Would this work well with the flexible hoses?

It does try hard, but i have used it without issues, could be something better to use. There is not much flexing going on at the joint were the clamp goes on.

[Jim Boemler]

Assuming your hoses are in good shape, you shouldn't need sealer. The risk is that some will get back into the water, and either clog passages or damage the water pump. It may not be a huge risk, but why bother for no benefit?

[Muda]

I've always used Breeze and Ideal. One time when American made makes a difference. They last forever!