Anyone having problems with hose clamps?

[Fordtrucktexan]

The past few months I've had a run of bad luck with hose clamps coming loose and causing weird coolant leaks. The first was my lower radiator hose, it was an old OEM clamp that I must have removed and tightened a hundred times during the coolant flush, so I figure I wore the threads out and replaced it with one I had laying around. Haven't had any problems with it since. I then stripped the screw on the upper radiator hose clamp that holds the hose to the radiator when I noticed it was also loose, but not yet leaking. Then today I notice a puddle under the truck. I crawl under and trace it back to the Y-pipe where the IPR Coolant filter system connects to the degas bottle. All three hose clamps on that fitting were very loose.

Is there someone that makes 'good' hose clamps that won't come loose? If not, I may just switch them all out to spring clamps. The engine isn't really vibrating any more than usual to cause this either, and the truck rides and drives down the road just fine without any rattles or vibrations.

[onebadcoastie]

In the January 2013 edition of Diesel Power, on page 158 there is an article about stronger clamps. Their website is:

ClampTite - The Official Website | ClampTite | tools | business opportunity

..you may wanna look into that. For some of the smaller hoses, you might be able to get away with the push to connect barb style fittings used on a number of fuel systems.

[jsm180]

Originally Posted by onebadcoastie

In the January 2013 edition of Diesel Power, on page 158 there is an article about stronger clamps. Their website is:

ClampTite - The Official Website | ClampTite | tools | business opportunity

..you may wanna look into that. For some of the smaller hoses, you might be able to get away with the push to connect barb style fittings used on a number of fuel systems.

I have this tool and have been using it for several years. It works but it is not a end all replacement for hose clamps. The biggest issue is it is too hard to use in tight spaces, piece of cake on a hose on the bench but good luck with the rad hose on the thermostat.

In an emergency it's worth it's weight in gold and that's what I use it for. I carry it and several feet of .040" safety wire in the truck and airplane when I travel.