Mike Frye

Hey, sorry if this is a stupid question, I've never seen any pics or mention of how to tighten on the metal ring that holds the new boot in place when you rebuild the tb tensioner.

Is there a special tool or is there some technique I can use with a screwdriver or pliers. I don't have any spares and I'd hate to mess it up.

PS- Boy did it need it, the old one didn't bend at all, it just crumbled and turned to dust.


Thanks in advance for any help.

algie928s4

I just pinched mine in a vice, not saying thats right, just how I did it. Unless of course someone slates that idea, then I was thinking of pinching mine in a vice LOL.

leperboy

Mike, I just used a pair of cutting pliers (the snub-nosed kind used for cutting wire). The ring is thick enough that it doesn't cut into it. Vice-grips would work too.

Matt

borland

Replace it with p/n 999.512.334.02, a hose type clamp 49-53mm. Tightens with a flat blade screwdriver.

Mike Frye

Thanks for the quick responses,

I've never used this type of clamp before and didn't know if I should pinch it or try to spread it based on what the old one looked like. I think I got it now.

SteveG

Some come with hose clamp w/screw mechanism. From your question, you have the friction clamp that uses special tool to crimp the band together. I have also used an electrical wire nipper shaped as below (side view, plier handles exdend below) of a size that will fit over the outer curve of the clamp. I think I would try to source the screw type although it is hard to find in that small size.
_ _
( )

[edit] this crude attempt will not display as drawn, the upper dashes are the cutting/grasping surface, the sides are curved to fit around the convex portion of the clamp and squeeze it tight.

Shark Attack

After I ruined mine trying the right tool, I went to the local parts house and bought a regular hose clamp. that is what was on it when i took it apart

ROG100

Do what Borland said.
I bet the cost is cheaper and I am fed up with crimping the original type.
I use tile nippers, just because they were handy the first time.
The nice thing about the clamp Borland suggests is you can undo it afterwards in case you need to move the clamp.
Thanks Borland I have been looking for that alternative for a couple of years but could not find the right width.

Garth S

I use a pair of 'end nippers'. The right angle blades draw the crimp together perfectly.

ROG100

Wow and I hoped the alternative would be cheaper.
The clamp Borland suggested is $8 v $2.50.
Still I will try it out.

JP Rodkey

Of course, there is a special tool for such clamps. They're often used on CV boots as well. It has jaws to clinch against the ears of the clamp, and when squeezed, pushes down a mandrel to put that dimple on the band which strengthens and takes up displaced metal on the band itself. Hope that made sense?

I got a Mac #30800 some years ago for about $30. The Snap-On version lists for about $32 and is pictured below. As usual, hard to beat a tool designed specifically for the application. Oh.....before getting the tool......I did use side cutters for the job, but never liked leaving the marks cut into the band.

Bill Ball

The clamp is called a 1-ear Oetiker crimping clamp with insert and is used on the CV boots as well. The end cutter or pincer works perfectly and is almost identical to the official Oetiker tools.
http://www.hweckhardt.com/clamps/OetikerMain.htm

I use this type, commonly called a CV boot clamp tool, available at any autoparts store.

Rob Edwards

I got a set of 1-ear crimping pliers as well, which I'm pretty sure I bought them at Harbor Freight, though (of course) I can't find them on their website. They're made in Taiwan, though, which might mean they're too high-quality to be HF.... I know that I wouldn't have paid more than $10 for a few-time-use tool (well, except for the Spanner, and the flywheel lock, and the mityvac, and the 9266, and , well, nevermind)


FWIW, any of the SoCal crew that needs a pair to rebuild a tensioner, feel free to borrow them.

Mike Frye

This is great.

Thanks everyone, I went with the vice grips and it worked perfectly. I'm going to be doing the tie rods in a few weeks so when I do the boots I'll probably end up getting the 'CV boot clamp' or equivalent. For now though the vice grips did a good job.

Instead of just going for it in one shot, I tightened a few turns at a time so I could make sure it was aligned properly and put on the right amount of tension without flattening the 'loop'.

Thanks everyone for the help on this small task. I should have done more of a search before I started and I would have found out how to do it. I appreciate your patience out there though.

Next, that damned circlip for the tensioner arm bearing...

Vilhuer

One more version.



I have similar as in Bill's picture. Works great.