Hose Clamp Replacement Guidelines - Spring Type
Special Tools
  • BO-38185 Hose Clamp Pliers
  • GE-47622 Hose Clamp Pliers

Equivalent regional tools:Special Tools

Spring Type Hose Clamp Replacement Guidelines


Object ID: 4244828

Vehicles utilize spring type hose clamps (1) to secure joints in which fluids, gases, or engine vacuum can travel to various vehicle systems. Spring type hose clamps are engineered to provide the proper amount of tension to maintain a leak & maintenance free joint for the life of the vehicle.

Spring type hose clamps have a special coating applied to the exterior of the clamp that is engineered to resist rust/corrosion, improve durability and increase the life of the hose clamp. If the coating is damaged, rust/corrosion could form resulting in the need to replace the hose clamp.

Many spring type hose clamps within GM utilize a small amount of adhesive placed directly on the hose clamp to secure the clamp to the mating hose for manufacturing purposes. Over time the strength of the adhesive will deteriorate. It is extremely important when a technician is attempting to service a joint or remove the hose clamp, that the clamp is not rotated or repositioned so that is tears and/or damages the hose. In this case, the hose and clamp must both be replaced.

When repairing a vehicle it is very important to observe the condition of both the hose and the spring type hose clamp as well as the orientation of the clamp to the hose.

If the spring type hose clamp(s) have any of the following conditions on any area of the clamp, replace the clamp(s) immediately.

  • Rust/Corrosion
  • Cracks
  • Physical damage
  • Leakage attributed to the retention of the clamp

Removing The Spring Type Hose Clamp

While keeping the hose stationary, use BO-38185 Hose Clamp Pliers or GE-47622 Hose Clamp Pliers and release the spring type hose clamp tension while attempting to separate the hose clamp from the hose.

  • If the spring type hose clamp will not easily separate from the hose and/or the clamp tears or damages the hose, both the hose and hose clamp must be replaced
  • If the spring type hose clamp is easily removed from the hose, the clamp can be reused provided that the clamp does not have any of the conditions as noted above.

If The Spring Type Hose Clamp Is Being Reused

It is extremely important that the spring type hose clamp is orientated to the hose in the exact same position as it was installed during vehicle assembly so that the hose clamp is not damaged or the hose clamp does not contact or damage any adjacent components. Do not use any type of adhesive on the hose clamp prior to installation.

When Reusing The Spring Type Hose Clamp and Replacing The Hose :
  • The inside and outside hose diameter must be identical between the new hose and the existing hose to guarantee proper hose clamp tension and joint integrity.
  • Always place the existing spring type hose clamp in the same orientation as it was positioned prior to separating the joint. The new hose might have a marking on the hose indicating the correct position of a hose clamp, which should re-confirm the correct hose clamp position. The hose clamp should not contact any adjacent components after installation.

When Reusing The Spring Type Hose Clamp with an Existing Hose

Always place the existing spring type hose clamp in the same orientation as it was positioned prior to separating the joint. The existing hose might have an indentation or compression mark on the hose from where the hose clamp was installed previously. The hose clamp should identically overlay this position. The existing hose might also have a marking on the hose indicating the correct position of the hose clamp, which should re-confirm the correct hose clamp position. The hose clamp should not contact any adjacent components after installation.

If The Spring Type Hose Clamp Is Being Replaced

If the hose clamp needs to be replaced, always replace the hose as part of the service repair. It is extremely important that a new spring type hose clamp is orientated to the hose in the exact same position as it was installed during vehicle assembly so that the hose clamp is not damaged or the hose clamp does not contact or damage any adjacent components. Do not use any type of adhesive on the hose clamp prior to installation.

When Replacing The Spring Type Hose Clamp and Replacing The Hose :
  • The inside and outside hose diameter must be identical between the new hose and the existing hose to guarantee proper hose clamp tension and joint integrity.
  • Always place the new spring type hose clamp in the same orientation as it was positioned prior to separating the joint. The new hose might have a marking on the hose indicating the correct position of a hose clamp, which should re-confirm the correct hose clamp position. The hose clamp should not contact any adjacent components after installation.

When Replacing The Spring Type Hose Clamp with an Existing Hose

Always place the new spring type hose clamp in the same orientation as it was positioned prior to separating the joint. The existing hose might have an indentation or compression mark on the hose from where a hose clamp was installed previously. The hose clamp should identically overlay this position. The existing hose might also have a marking on the hose indicating the correct position of the hose clamp, which should re-confirm the correct hose clamp position. The hose clamp should not contact any adjacent components after installation.