In a message dated 03/04/2005 1:11:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Aaarrgh!  I've had it with vice grips!  Does anyone know if  there is a tool
that exists specifically designed to be used with the VW  spring loaded hose
clamps?  If it exists, where do I get it  from?

David, I too struggled with this until I saw a  fellow in a shop using a
special tool.  It's a pliers type device that  operates a two foot cable with
clips on the end of the cable that grip each ear  of the clamp.  Line up the clips
with the ears, squeeze the pliers and they  lock into place then you can move
the spring clamp at your convenience.   The remote operation due to the cable
system is a huge benefit in getting  to clamps in secluded locations !  This
tool is a Craftsman tool available  from Sears in the USA, that's where I got
mine, $40 USD.  I did not check  with Sears here in Canada they may have it as
may some other speciality tool  dealers.  I also have another spring clamp
pliers tool that I got from my  local UAP~NAPA dealer.  It's just so, so, as it
does not grip the ears  properly due to the way the jaws of the pliers grip
the VW clamp ears.  It  also has a locking system that allow you to keep the
clamps under tension while  you manoeuvre it.  Now all that said there is one
major problem with all  those VW spring clamps.  They do not open enough due to
that stupid  limiting piece on one of the ears.  In most situations the clamp
will not  open far enough to slip over the flare on the pipe nipple with the
hose still in  place unless the hose and clamp are moved together.  This is fine
for  installing hoses but when trying to remove a hose that is frozen in
place it is  near impossible to move the hose until the clamp is out of the way to
allow  rotation to unstick the hose from the nipple.  In most cases if I am
able  to get to the clamp with a dremel cut off tool I cut off the limiting
piece and  then the clamp can open further.  Any clamps I install I ALWAYS cut
off  this limiting piece.  Who's bright idea was it to have a limit to the
opening of those spring clamps ?  One more thing about these spring  clamps.  I
know many mechanics get fed up with those clamps to the point of  pitching them
out and using screw clamps.  My viewpoint on this is it's is  a bad idea.
Those spring clamps regardless off their inconvenience are far  superior in
clamping quality than screw clamps.  The problem is this; you  install a screw
clamp and tighten it, the hose gets up to operating temperature  and the clamp is
no longer at sufficient clamping pressure to prevent  leaking.  Minute leaking
starts, may or may not be noticeable, corrosion  begins and leaking gets
worse.  You eventually see the leak, try to tighten  the clamp and may or may not
be successful in stopping the leak.  You would  need to go around, after full
operating temperature has been attained and  tighten all these clamps, PITA.
The VW spring clamps are always trying to  exert more clamping force as the
hose warms up thereby insuring a tight seal  under all conditions.  Once you
have the proper tool to manoeuvre these  clamps then you'll see their convenience.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com