worm drive vs mikalor band clamps?
Discussion
Looking to upgrade mikalor clamps as I sourced a slight coolant leak for my old convertible sports car which currently is on stainless worm driven
Ironically just tightening up the existing worm drive clamps and no longer dripping for now ( thought I tightened last time!) but while still in the air perhaps makes sense to swap them out?
Spring clamps are probably more ideal but to fit those will need all the coolant refilling was going to replace the worm clamps with mikalors as next best option presumably ?
I've just received a few mikalor recently orderered however I mis measured though and the ones I bought (40 and below) need to be more likely 40-43 I think so need to order again in slightly larger size
Before I do - Is it worth confirming this a worthy upgrade in any opinions please given I already fixed the leak seemingly
I just imagined the nut and bolt style clamp instead of more damaging worm drive, is probably worthwhile ? What say the garage gods ?
Thanks in advance
Ironically just tightening up the existing worm drive clamps and no longer dripping for now ( thought I tightened last time!) but while still in the air perhaps makes sense to swap them out?
Spring clamps are probably more ideal but to fit those will need all the coolant refilling was going to replace the worm clamps with mikalors as next best option presumably ?
I've just received a few mikalor recently orderered however I mis measured though and the ones I bought (40 and below) need to be more likely 40-43 I think so need to order again in slightly larger size
Before I do - Is it worth confirming this a worthy upgrade in any opinions please given I already fixed the leak seemingly
I just imagined the nut and bolt style clamp instead of more damaging worm drive, is probably worthwhile ? What say the garage gods ?
Thanks in advance
Just to add to own thread surprisingly - this american guy in his video reviewed T bolt based clamps, and found them a downgrade ! Though don't exactly appear to be same brand as Mikalor supra clamps though but similar design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGjWyPteRSs
Perhaps I should leave them if proven not leaking for now?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGjWyPteRSs
Perhaps I should leave them if proven not leaking for now?
Waste of time on a coolant hose, jubilee clips are all that's required. Why was it leaking? If it was just the clamp being a little loose then you've cured it. If the leak was due to corrosion on the hose barb or degradation of the hose then you may have just postponed a proper fix. The main problem with those clamps is they have very little adjustment so getting the size right is a pain in the arse.
The correct answer is neither.
For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
If you REALLY feel the need to add some bling to your hoses & know how not to overtighten them then you need this type of "heavy duty" clamp, although personally, they are better for exhausts as they do up so tight. Do not use Mikalor, they are the worst of the "T-bolt" clamps, just because they were the first, for some reason people think they are the best, they aren't
If you look carefully at my pic & those on your video you will see that on the type pictured the parts that act on the clamp ends to tighten the clamp up are solid so they do not compress/bend/disform when tightening up like those with pressed ends.
For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
If you REALLY feel the need to add some bling to your hoses & know how not to overtighten them then you need this type of "heavy duty" clamp, although personally, they are better for exhausts as they do up so tight. Do not use Mikalor, they are the worst of the "T-bolt" clamps, just because they were the first, for some reason people think they are the best, they aren't
If you look carefully at my pic & those on your video you will see that on the type pictured the parts that act on the clamp ends to tighten the clamp up are solid so they do not compress/bend/disform when tightening up like those with pressed ends.
Edited by E-bmw on Thursday 9th April 07:32
Agree with the spring clamps but remember they require the right type of pliers for fitting, you can modify a standard
pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
One thing Jubilee clips wont do though is provide you with the type of pain the spring clips can if they slip off the pliers
and hit your fingers.
pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
One thing Jubilee clips wont do though is provide you with the type of pain the spring clips can if they slip off the pliers
and hit your fingers.
Master Of Puppets said:
Agree with the spring clamps but remember they require the right type of pliers for fitting, you can modify a standard
pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
I have only ever just used standard slip-joint pliers, but I am sure the correct ones are better as you say.pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
Master Of Puppets said:
One thing Jubilee clips wont do though is provide you with the type of pain the spring clips can if they slip off the pliers
and hit your fingers.
Right there, been there also, care & correct alignment is your best friend with them.and hit your fingers.
E-bmw said:
The correct answer is neither.
For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
Or the OP could, just, you know, not overtighten the hose clamp he already has? The suggestion of those footling things(which are excellent in a production environment but a massive pain in the arse to retrofit) is baffling to me, they're a nuisance.For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
hidetheelephants said:
E-bmw said:
The correct answer is neither.
For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
Or the OP could, just, you know, not overtighten the hose clamp he already has? The suggestion of those footling things(which are excellent in a production environment but a massive pain in the arse to retrofit) is baffling to me, they're a nuisance.For a start just tightening up a hose clamp is not the answer unless it wasn't done up tight enough in the first place.
Both of the clamps you suggest will actually over-tighten the clamp on the hose, which then compresses it until it loses all its flexible/compressible properties (that are vital) and then will leak no matter how tight you tighten it as it is basically a hard plastic pipe by then.
This and only this, is what you should be using.
They never over-tighten and are always retain the flexible/compressible nature of the hose.
I don't think its leaking for now - but even If I have to factor in to replace the pipes ( not a bad idea as they were original pipes getting on a bit anyway) it wouldn't cost too much, they are all fairly (x5) short sections. One is tiny just to join up the T piece to thermostat.
Something like 2x 45 degree short sections and some fairly short straight sections to marry up one T piece with a Pressure thermostat right behind the rad to 2 solid metal pipes.
Stoney do 45 sections for £13 each then I could get just one shortish straight section I could cut up?
The most annoying thing if I have to do that is having to rebleed again, as there are a few different points
Not the end of the world
Master Of Puppets said:
Agree with the spring clamps but remember they require the right type of pliers for fitting, you can modify a standard
pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
One thing Jubilee clips wont do though is provide you with the type of pain the spring clips can if they slip off the pliers
and hit your fingers.
I've always hated touching them on my TT with the cramped engine bay, there's always something in the way of normal or slip-jaw pliers, and when they slip out they always spring to a slightly different position that's even more difficult to access. I bought a cheap kit from eBay, and it made the job so much more pleasant. Well worth £20-odd. Like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265214345447pair of long nosed pliers by cutting a V shaped groove into them.
One thing Jubilee clips wont do though is provide you with the type of pain the spring clips can if they slip off the pliers
and hit your fingers.
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