Jeff,

I got a really nice pair of ring clamp pliers from Sears for < $30. The tool
has a 20" flexy cable with the clamp at the end. You can reach any clamp
with that setup. It works with both types of ring clamps.

It really is a useful tool if you plan to replace your hoses. Let me know if
you need the model #. I can find it after work.

John Meeks
'91 Vanagon MV
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com

On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:51 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:

> Alright - enough is enough for me! Is there a tool specially for those
> stock
> hose clamps - you know the type you squeeze together? If so what is it
> called and where do I get one?
>
> I've had enough of trying to remove/install those clamps with vice grips,
> etc.
>
> I thought I had seen a post about this quite a while ago but I'll be darned
> if I can find it.
>
> I was working on completeing the heater hose replacement on Gertie
> yesterday
> (finally) and those darn clamps are a pain - but I like that they do a good
> job so I try to reuse them whenever possible. Got everything buttoned up
> and
> discovered that the front heater valve leaks like a seive - crud. I
> bypassed
> it for now - was nice to have heat fromt he back heater ont he ride to work
> this morning.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
> '85 GL (Gertie)
> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
> '86 (We call this one Scrap)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>