Do constant tension hose clamps lose their clamping ability over the years?

[The motor guy]

I have a couple 3/4" diameter real short 2" long coolant hoses on my cummins. They both seem to be kind of seeping coolant. I didn't drive the truck the past two days and drove my other vehicle and I have about a 5" diameter wet spot on the garage floor right now. Probably a quarter of an ounce. I'm thinking both these hoses and clamps just need to be changed out due to being installed since 2007. The question is which is it? The hose or the clamp that goes bad? Or a little of both?

 

[D60]

The clamps can relax in time. I still reuse if they seem ok and feel strong. In your case I'd replace

 

[ripcord]

I've had spring tension clamps get rusty and break when removing them.

If it was me, I would replace both the clamps and the hoses just because

 

[Lubener]

Any spring will loose tension over time.

 

[The Critic]

The clamps generally do not lose tension over time.

Your issue resides with the hose. Since the clamp is sized for a specific hose size, once the hose begins to shrink and harden, the clamp is unable to provide adequate clamping force. I bet that if you replaced the hose and reused the clamp, your leak will go away.

 

[grasscutter]

The answer is yes. The bigger clamps like for the upper and lower radiator hoses seem to lose their tension over time, but we're talking like 20 years. Having said that, they are still far superior to worm clamps.

 

[Imp4]

As standard procedure I replace these when I replace a hose. That said, if I were in a pinch I’d reuse them if they appeared in good visual condition. We’re talking about a <$5 part here that can lead to some big headaches if they don’t function properly.

Any sign of leaking or weepage and I’d replace both hose and clamp while doing extra visual inspection of the hose barb.

YMMV.

 

[Bailey28]

I went through a life learning episode with these factory spring clamps on a Kia Sorento. At 60k I decided to remove the upper hose and flush the radiator. Upon replacing the spring clamp in a slightly different position it leaked coolant.

If you remove the clamp it has to go back EXACTLY where it was before. If your clamp lost tension and is leaking and you try another one, it has to nest into the imprinted area the previous clamp made on that specific hose.

If you use new hoses you get to 'start over' and the clamp can probably go anywhere on the bung.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The leaky 18 year old clamp and hose need to go. It may be one or the other or both.

Yes spring steel can loose its tension over a long enough time.

 

[demarpaint]

Eighteen year old hoses and spring clamps, replace them. They're overdue for replacement IMO.

 

[Wylie6G72]

Cheap insurance against a breakdown. I just did a coolant swap on my 2015 Canyon a couple of weeks ago, the new clamp felt a lot harder to squeeze than the old one. Replaced on the radiator end of the lower hose since this is twice that I've squeezed it to take it off. Bought another one for the top, but it's never been touched so I'm going to leave it for a while. Worth it to not have a leak and not have the hose blow off sitting in traffic.

 

[zrxkawboy]

A related question: anyone have a good source for new spring clamps, other than OEM?

 

[zzyzzx]

This is mostly only a concern if you live in the rust belt.

 

[zzyzzx]

A related question: anyone have a good source for new spring clamps, other than OEM?

Aliexpress

 

[Nukeman7]

I actually prefer the constant tension stainless steel solid band clamps from Gates which are available on Rockauto.

 

[cptbarkey]

Not really from my experience. They tend to break from brittle metal or rust before losing compression. I reuse them whenever possible, and much prefer them over screw drive.

 

[mclasser]

I had one get super rusty and not hold proper tension.

 

[D60]

I went through a life learning episode with these factory spring clamps on a Kia Sorento. At 60k I decided to remove the upper hose and flush the radiator. Upon replacing the spring clamp in a slightly different position it leaked coolant.

If you remove the clamp it has to go back EXACTLY where it was before. If your clamp lost tension and is leaking and you try another one, it has to nest into the imprinted area the previous clamp made on that specific hose.

If you use new hoses you get to 'start over' and the clamp can probably go anywhere on the bung.

And square. It's easy to be in a hurry and slide them back into place cocked, at which point they're essentially an ellipse.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

Use the right tool for the job.
These Hose Clamp Pliers are great to use.
https://www.acmetools.com/craftsman-hose-clamp-pliers-cmmt14136/S0000000081288.html

 

[MasterSolenoid]

The leaky 18 year old clamp and hose need to go. It may be one or the other or both.

Yes spring steel can loose its tension over a long enough time.

Like what some people say happens to a spring in a pistols Clip.