There's a few homemade tools to do the job;

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2946138-exhaust-clamp-removal-tool

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/Images/VwExhaustClapTool1.jpg

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/Images/VwExhaustClapTool.jpg

and some real ones, cheap!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Exhaust-Spring-Clamp-Removal-Tool-VW-AUDI-SKODA-/180835840113

http://www.kochtools.com/index.php?p=product&id=101

Mike B.

On 12/21/2012 11:00 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> lol...
> very cute.
> right 'shield your eyes' ...sounds risky !
>
> Seems like not many people are familair with the 'real tool.
> Mine might be a Hazzat brand ..made in Der Fatherland.
> Cost 60 bucks probably, maybe more these days.
> If things are going right ..I will never have to use it again...'cause I
> don't 'do'FWD VW's  with sideways engines anymore.
>
> I wouldn't say there is any actual replacement for those big spring
> clips.
> Istill have some if anyone needs any. And 'bowl' header pipes, one or 2.
>
> scott
> turbovans
>
> On 12/21/2012 5:00 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
>>> There is a special tool for those spring clamps.
>>>
>>>>> It's called a come-along. Put one hook on a c-clip, the other on a
>> convenient body or suspension part, and start cranking. Shield your
>> eyes.
>> Hopefully you can replace them with something else, or do as I did and
>> throw them away since I was putting the Jetta engine that had them
>> into a
>> Vanagon.
>>
>> Not only to you need special tools (steel wedges) you need a magic
>> wand to
>> make room to swing the hammer that it will take to drive them.
>>
>> Ugh.
>>
>> Jim
>>