Choosing The Right Radiator Hoses And Clamps For Your Car

As car owners, we all know that our vehicles require years of maintenance to keep them in good running condition. Common maintenance requirements that we have all experienced or at least heard about include brake changes, oil changes, filter replacements, timing belts and more. These parts that wear out over time include radiator hoses and engine hoses and their separate hose clamps.

If you need to replace your radiator hoses or radiator hose clamps, you can either leave it to the professionals or do it yourself (if you have some basic mechanical experience). Whether you decide to go the DIY route or a professional installation, there are some important factors you should consider. Namely, the type of hose and hose clamps you decide to use to replace the faulty part.

Finding the right radiator hose

Choosing the most efficient and longest-lasting radiator hose is not difficult. Remember that vehicle parts like this don't last forever, so you don't have to spend a fortune on a quality radiator hose. Here are some things to consider before buying your next radiator hose.

Check your owner's manual to ensure you get the correct radiator hose.

Check which radiator hoses need to be replaced. There are two hoses; top and bottom. If you are unsure, buy a combination radiator hose that fits both areas. Tip: If there is a lot of wear and tear, you will probably need to replace both hoses.

 Radiator Hose     

Types of radiator hoses

Most radiator hoses are made of silicone rubber. Although it won't last forever, silicone has proven to be one of the best materials for radiator hoses. According to YourMechanic.com there are three different types of hoses to choose from, accordion hoses, moulded hoses and plain hoses, the two main options being

Moulded hoses - these hoses are pre-formed and can be made from silicone or stainless steel. These are designed to make connections easier and allow coolant to flow more easily. Moulded hoses do not fit all models of vehicles so please check before purchasing.

Flex Hoses - Flex hoses are designed to meet OEM specifications and are made from silicone rubber with a corrugated cover that can be easily 'bent' for installation.

If you want to get more information about the best radiator hoses price, welcome to contact us today or request a quote.  

Choosing the right radiator hose clamp

There are several different radiator hose clamps that you can use on radiator hoses. The most common are screw (worm gear) clamps, spring clamps, wire clamps and ear clamps. Of these four, the most common are the screw and spring clips.

However, you may wish to avoid using screw clips when replacing clips on your hoses. Why? We will explain.

Most vehicles are equipped with spring clamps, which are designed to hold the hose in perfect tension so that coolant can flow easily and not leak. When someone has a problem with worn engine hose clamps, they need to replace them quickly. However, choosing a spiral clamp can have a negative impact. This is because there is a pressure point under the screw of the clamp. This small pressure point can cause the hose to rupture. A ruptured hose can lead to overheating, which is not good.

For this reason we recommend the use of spring clamps or for optimum hose clamp pressure there is a fifth hose clamp option: the TKO clamp. the TKO clamp is a premium custom machined clamp. The revolutionary design has been patented and consists of a multi-hinge 3-part aluminium band which contains a negative angle locking latching system. The TKO clamp is easier to use and lasts longer than existing hose clamps on the market, eliminating the need to purchase another radiator hose clamp (unless you need one for a different hose).