Hose clamps

[Rocket Science Racing]

Igor,

The root of the problem is that any worm gear hose clamp cannot account for
the "set" that soft hoses like the Samco's take over a period of time. Only
constant tension band (CTB, the "spring type") hose clamps such as those
found on Japanese engineered cars can do this. Even that point is moot when
it comes to turbo hoses because the CTB clamps can't hold the pressure, so
you are forced to use a worm gear type clamp in that application.

Your periodic retightening problem can be eliminated by A) tightening the
hell out of them until the hoses are FULLY compressed under them, or B)
engineering your turbo plumbing out of less compressible material. Mandrel
bent, large diameter aluminum pipe systems with hard rubber connectors are
common in DSM circles. These types of systems pretty much solve the problem.
I haven't seen anything like this for VW/Audi.

One other possible problem: if you feel you really are tightening the hell
out of them and they are still coming loose, consider if the screw is
actually backing out under vibration. If you think that is the problem, then
drill your clamp screws and safety wire them.

Good luck,

Scott
98.5A41.8Tqm

P.S. The %^*()_* crimp style clamps that come on our cars from the factory
are even worse. They can't even be adjusted. When I bought my A4 used at
50001 miles, everything was leaking: coolant, PS fluid, washer fluid, you
name it. I also found out you can't get CTB hose clamps in the U.S. So now
everything under my hood has the inelegant, but semi-functional good old SS
worm gear clamps.


Date:	Thu, 18 Sep 2003 21:36:29 -0400
From:	Igor Kessel <igor at s-cars.org>

I've been sucessefully using the SS, rolled clamps from McMaster for my
hoses. Now with the full Samco treatment under the hood I have made a sad
discovery. The hoses work themselves loose within a couple of months. Last
time the hose blew off at 7,000 and 24 psi of
Last night as I was changing the oil I decided to go over all of the clamps
with the 7mm socket just for the hell of it. Guess what? Every damn hose
clamp was loose! They turn into regular mainetence items. What a PITA! I
feel this is happening because the Si Samco hoses are so sleek to the touch.
So, the inquiring minds would like to know what the cat's meow in the world
of the turbo hose clamps?