Wrestling with a springy hose clamp

[Blanco]

I can't find the home for this, so just posting it here for now. (I thought we had a tips and tricks thread?)

Earlier today I spent far too long (45mins plus!) struggling at the back of my M51 head trying to position one of those springy style hose clamps, in this case a u-shaped heater hose under the inlet manifold.

I knew this was coming up but decided it just didn't justify the expense of the Knipex pliers adapted for these things,... neither was I impressed with recent reviews on the cheap chinese jobs which seem to to be made of plastercine in recent years. So I was regretting my negative decision as I went into lunch.

During lunch I decided to try tie wrapping the thing open,... it seemed to work on a small one but not on the 28mm one in question.

After 2 more minutes I came up with this ...

An M12 nut allowed me to position  it perfectly and then just twist it off, just 2 mins once I had sliced the nut. 

I still fancy the Knipex pliers but was pleased with my (eventual!) compromise

[Stellaghost]

Nice bit of improvisation

regards Stephen

[Bowie69]

I tend to just use me grips, normally gets it done, but granted no idea on access, so the nut may have been your only option! 

[Bowie69]

Sorry that should be mole grips.... 

[elbekko]

I usually just use this type of pliers on them:

Right before I bin the infernal things. And yes, I know, they're supposed to be better. I still don't like them.

[fmmv]

Those clips do seem to have very sharp corners on them, they may be better for the hoses but they can do you some damage  if you reach past them in a confined space.

[Blanco]

12 hours ago, elbekko said:

I usually just use this type of pliers on them:

So do I, ... and elsewhere I have never really had a problem,...  that is what I was using to get nowhere .... the problem was the location, if you check out the heater hose on the LH side of the car at the back of the head, it has a shield over it  and the hose itself prevents direct access. ... attempts to slide the clamp along the hose once gripped caused me a deal of difficulty. Keeping the thing at max opening , and allowing me to position it without doing contortions with both hands was the key.

[Superpants]

In a production line they often come fitted with a plastic clip with a loop in that you pull off, similar to your nut concept. Not unsual to hear them called grenade clips.

https://www.mubea.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_500/public/2019-05/06_raumspar_federbandschelle_mit_handy-clip.jpg?itok=0DAg2_-W

[ThreePointFive]

I vote for the cheap/rubbish clamp pliers. A pair of mole grips are fine when the clip is already on a pipe and a slip means it ends up back of that same pipe. Off a pipe in a pair of normal pliers, I find they invariably fly towards your face.

[Blanco]

23 hours ago, Superpants said:

Not unsual to hear them called grenade clips.

I like that, ... a grenade is quite appealing after 45mins!🤣