Hose Clamp Pliers- Types and Application

Hose clamp pliers are an invaluable addition to any home garage and can be used in a variety of applications. If you’re a professional mechanic, you probably know what this hose clamp tool is. Or if you spend time working on cars, and have to use lots of car repair tools. But if not you’re wondering what automotive hose clamp pliers are, this article will sort you out. It has all you need to know about them.

What are Hose Clamp Pliers?

Also called hose clip pliers, hose clamp pliers are a type of hose clamp removal tool that allows you to adjust, tighten, and loosen all sorts of different types of hose clamps. These tools basically consist of special jaws or cable operated mechanism to squeeze clamps.

Hose clamps or hose clips are circular components that secure hoses to pipes and other fittings. You will normally find them anywhere where hoses are located; on hoses for brake fluid, fuel hoses, hoses for oil, and so on.

Hose clamps make everything neat and organized. They also help to keep hoses out of the way or secure them to the engine or other parts to prevent damage. When these or the hoses themselves need replacing, clamp pliers usually come in handy.

What are Hose Clamp Pliers Used for?

Hose clamp pliers loosen, remove, or install hose clamps or clips with ease. They allow you to grip various thicknesses and shape of the clamp, which makes it more convenient and versatile the regular pliers.

Hoses can leak or wear out and require changing. In order to replace hoses, you need to loosen the clamps that secure them. Because hose clamps are located in the farthest ends and in small spaces, you need special tools to reach and work on them- hose clamp pliers.

Hose clips can also get old and rot. Some clamps may also press against a hose too much and causing damage or a constriction. In such situations, you need to replace the clamp. Using clamp pliers makes the job convenient and easier.

Types of Hose Clamp Pliers

There are different types of hose clamp pliers, each having their own specialty and function. These pliers can also exist in two different forms or styles. Some are more commonly used in auto repair work than others, and some more versatile. The two main types of clamp pliers are the cable and non-cable types.

Hose Clamp Pliers with Cable

The most popular type of clamp pliers uses a strong cable to squeeze the ends of a clamp, with a way to lock and cause it to stay in place one pressed. Hose clamp pliers with cable mechanisms mostly work with spring clamps. They’re often required when working on fuel, coolant, and oil hoses.

Hose Clamp Pliers without Cable

There are also hose clamp pliers without cable mechanisms. These come in various styles, ranging from swivel jaws to all types of jaws. Swivel jaw hose pliers are among the most versatile, and one of the most used.

Specialty Hose Clamp Pliers

Some pliers are also clamp specific. These include coolant hose clamp pliers, gas line pliers, and so on. A radiator hose clamp tool or pliers, for example, will usually work on flat band clamps. Specialty pliers are often called by their names such as ear clamps pliers for ear clamps, band clamp pliers for band clips, and more.

In comparison to non-cable hose clamp pliers, cable pliers are the most convenient. They reach the farthest, and can be used in small spaces. Specialty pliers, on the other hand, allow you to remove or install specific Clamps.

How do Hose Clamp Pliers Work?

Hose clamps come in all sorts of designs. They can ear clamps, spring clamps, quick-release clamps or snap-grip clamps, among other types. These require different tools to install or remove. You can use a hose clamp wrench, for example, or pincer. Hose clamp pliers remove the squeeze type of clamps. Here is how they work.

Hose clamp pliers use jaws that lock onto a hose clamp. Upon pressing the pliers’ handle, the jaws squeeze against the ends of the clamp, forcing it to loosen. The pliers, meanwhile, locks itself in place and prevents the clamp from returning to its former position.

With the clamp loosened, you can now remove the hose from its fitting. Likewise, you can use the pliers to place a new clamp using the same procedure. The pliers then acts as both a hose clamp removal tool and hose clamp installation tool.

How to Use Hose Clamp Pliers

Automotive hose clamp pliers are simple tools that are also straightforward to use. However, you need to operate them correctly or risk causing damage to the hoses, nearby components, or even the clamp itself. So here, I will show you how to use hose clamp pliers the right way. Follow these steps to loosen, remove, or install a clamp.

Important! Always make sure your car is switched of and the engine cool. Never work on a filled hose. In most cases, you will need to empty the specific reservoirs of fluid such as coolant, gas, or oil.

● Ensure everything is clear before trying to place your pliers on the hose clamp.

● Next, attach your hose clamp removal pliers so it fits the outer edges or ends of the hose clamp.

● Squeeze the pliers to collapse the clamp.

● The clamp will open and be ready to be removed or adjusted.

● Slide the clamp through the hose’s male fitting.

● You can now open the pliers locking mechanism to release the clamp.

● Remove the hose using your hands or with the help of a removal hook.