August West

I took the time to refresh my power steering fluid today as it was black in color and I didn't know when the last time it had been done. I noticed that my fluid level was down due to a tiny leak from the hose that attaches to the reservoir with a crimp clamp.

Now, I've posted before on Rennlist in regards to the inferiority of crimp clamps as I was able to cure my hunting idle problem by getting rid of the crimp clamps that secure the idle speed control valve. Once I put real hose clamps on, my idle hunting disappeared.

Now that I've found a small leak out of my power steering reservoir and lo and behold, it's another freaking crimp clamp that is the culprit, I'm wondering why Porsche would use these things.

Anybody have a good reason why crimp clamps are better to use than a good old screw-driven hose clamp? To me, crimp clamps are a cheapo way to secure hoses...

Babalouie

I suspect the crimp clamps are cheaper to use in manufacture.

Vandit

Yup, lower cost of goods sold equals higher profit margins.

jody stowitts

Quicker assembly too, esp. in the factory where accessibility is easy. Maybe a tiny bit of weight savings, as absurd as that sounds. Its always nice to be able to go back at future times and be able to "snug-up" the screw driven type though. P.S., what's the easiest way to remove crimp types, to reduce chances of tearing up the rubber hoses and precluding having to repl. the hose too?

AOW162435

A set of Knipex pliers meant for Oetiker clamps. They work great to secure the clamps, as well as removing them.


Andreas

jody stowitts

Thanx, AOW>>>>>!

Marc Shaw

Crimp clamps handle heat cycling better than screw-driven hose clamps and (in theory) cut into the hose less.

Actually, the 993 was mass produced in the days of cost-cutting....they didn't cut corners to save money on the 964.

Marc

ChaseN

You can get screw clamps that use "ridges" pressed in to the clamp instead of slots to tighten. They are the best of both worlds IMHO - they dont cut into the hose and are reusable and re-tightenable (is that a word?) BMW uses (used?) them a lot back in the 80s and they are available in bulk in many sizes from Pelican.

Marc Shaw

Yep. I pay extra for the Porsche ones as they are like that while the local auto parts ones are slotted.

Marc

(re-tightenicious?)

jimq

oh jeeez you are going to be a marked man if any of the 993 fanboys over there read this

Metal Guru

Oetiker clamps are used in manufacturing because they go on quickly and easily and as previously mentioned, they won't back off with vibration over time. Also, since they are pulled tight by a pneumatic tool, there's less chance of one escaping the factory that isn't torqued properly, as could be the case with a worm clamp.
If the hose is leaking at an Oetiker clamp joint, I'd check the hose for signs of deterioration rather than blame the clamp. A worm clamp is a quick fix but not a long term fix.

jimq

the short hose can start seeping oil even with the clamps tight. I had to replace my hose because of it leaking although it looked good.

August West

Thanks for all the responses, guys. Pretty much as I suspected, and of course it's the rubber that is deteriorating, and not the clamp that's fatiguing. I still plan to replace the crimp clamp with a screw clamp and if it still leaks, then it's time for a new hose.

We've had a break in the rain here in Humboldt County so I went out for a glorious drive yesterday through the Redwoods...us 964 guys are so lucky, aren't we?

ChaseN

+1!!!

Though I tend to prefer the adjectives handsome, intelligent, wealthy, etc...

Oh, and humble!

August West

You forgot horny.