Help needed: How to remove the hose clamp for the MAF?

There are many variations on the screwless hose clamp (hose clip). Generally they're cheap to manufacture and easy for the car builder to install (with the correct special tool). Plus they do a pretty good job of clamping. Your picture shows two types. If you're talking about the one in the foreground you will see several bumps designed for a special tool. However, you can use a pair of needle nose pliers.

The idea is to find two bumps which you can squeeze together a little bit in the direction which would tighten the band. Also look for a tab or bump which fits into some kind of detent or notch and serves to lock the clamp in the tight position. As you squeeze the clamp to relieve the tension on the locking part, you will have to simultaneously lift up on at least one and sometimes two locking tabs of some sort. Normally you will find that a small screwdriver is needed to lift up a little tab so that when you release the pliers it will let the clamp unlock and release so you can remove it. This is hard to describe, especially since there are variations on the theme, but if you examine the clamp it will become obvious. Just give it a LITTLE squeeze to see how the mechanism works and identify where the locking tabs are, but not enough to put it into the next notch which would make the clamp even tighter.

You can re use this clamp if you don't cause any damage when you remove it. Or, you can replace it with a new clamp.

 

Any correct sized worm clamp will do....those are pretty much one time use clamps that are mostly destroyed when removing.

I would just replace them, worm clamps are more than sufficient for maintaining clamping force.

 

Just replaced mine. Take a screwdriver and lift up on the small tab that's going through the hole in the strap or just lift up on the end of the exposed metal strap on the left side of the crimp. Open it up and lift it off. It's a one use application.

For replacement use hose clamps. You have two options. 1) You can go to Lowes and get a 2-4 inch diameter clamp for $1.99 made on China. - or- 2) What I did was go to West Marine and get a better quality stainless clamp for $8 each. When you take off the rings bring them with you and use that to compare the sizes. Just get the closest size.

 

I went to a local Advance Auto and bought the special tool for around $9.00. Works good to install or remove the clamps. Oddly though they don't sell the clamps.

Brewman

 

I guess the clamp in the first photo is a one use clamp. Not sure if they are available after market as they tend to be OEM only and require a special tool to install -- speeds up the assembly line.
Alan

 

You spent $9 on a special tool to remove and install the clamp? Why not just buy a bunch of the worm clampsfor that price? There isn't anything special about the clamp, many cars come from the factory with these type of clamps....

If you really want to spend money on clamps, buy some t-bolt clamps

 

Curious which specific clamps people are using. Some look better suited to keep from damaging the rubber. Maybe a quick release type?

 

Easy answer. I'm a purist and strive to stay as original as possible.

 

They are made by Oetiker. Their special tool both cuts them off and installs them. You can remove it with a side cutter by sniping through the bent protrusion. I had not seen the one that apparently is reusable.
Image Unavailable, Please Login