What Are the Most Reliable Automotive Hose Clamps?

Reliability suggests qualities like suitability and dependability, and when it comes to automotive parts, these qualities are generally more necessary than desirable, especially when it comes to sealing an exhaust or radiator hose with a hose clamp.

Purpose

Hose clamps secure a hose to some component using a band that tightens to keep it secure. Differences among clamps lie in the tensioning system used to secure it and the quality of the metal used for the clamp.

Worm Screw Hose Clamps

General purpose screw-type hose clamps use a worm screw that engages a gear for tightening the band or a screw that engages a nut, and require a screwdriver to secure and remove them.

Spring-Action Hose Clamps

Spring-action and wire-type hose clamps require squeezing tabs together to open the band then letting go to clamp the hose. Spring-action clamps require pliers or special tools to use.

Considerations

Mechanics agree that hose clamps do their job reliably, but are often frustrated by stuck and hard to reach clamps.

Correctly installed hose clamps are reliable. A choice for the best could be its material, or its location. It may be easier to slide a spring clamp over the smooth end of a radiator hose, but use a band clamp on a ribbed hose, for example. See the Resources section for catalogs listing automotive hose clamps made of high-grade metals.