I've always used ChannelLock pliers on these clips quite succesfully.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Vince P." <vince_pappalardo@HP.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 4:31 PM
Subject: Re: Front Heater Control Valve Replacement Tricks?

> Thanks for the offer, but I think Napa Auto Parts in Corvallis Oregon is
closer
> than RI.  My next step was to see if any spring clamp pliers could work in
what
> would need to be a right angle to the spring clamp.  Your message confirms
these
> styles exist.  Vise grips work ok if you can get at the clamps but access
is
> VERY limited where the heater valve is.
>
> Thanks again,
> Vince.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Beierl [mailto:dbeierl@ibm.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 3:50 PM
> To: vince_pappalardo@HP.COM
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM; Stuart MacMillan
> Subject: Re: Front Heater Control Valve Replacement Tricks?
>
>
> At 16:36 5/24/2000, Vince P. wrote:
> >I am replacing the heater control valve on my 85 Vanogon.  I spent one
> >hour last
> >night trying to get the upper spring hose clamp off and was not
> >successful.  Any
> >tips or tricks on how to make this job go easier would be appreciated.  I
> >searched the archives and just found more tales of whoa and no good
advice on
> >how to do this replacement.
>
> I don't know anything specific about the heater control valve -- but if
> you're trying to take spring clamps off without a set of spring clamp
> pliers, then you're just asking for pain -- figurative and literal.
>
> Go to Sears Roebuck, ask for automotive spring clamp pliers.  They were
> about $17 ten years ago, I think.  They have two features that make them
> invaluable:  first, the gripping part of each jaw is hollow (optimized for
> the round-wire clamp, but holds the flat one too) and can rotate to any
> desired position; second, they have a ratchet so you can squeeze them and
> let go of the pliers.
>
> Tell them to send me the commission... <g>
>
> Seriously, nothing else will work properly with these clamps.  I'm sure
> MAC, Snapon etc etc have them too.  If you come here you can use mine.
>
> david
>
> David Beierl - Providence, RI
>   http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
> '84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
> '85 GL "Poor Relation"