I am getting ready to change out some hoses on my 2005 XKR Coupe. The current hose clamps are Norma cobra fittings that supposedly require the use of special Norma hose clamp pliers costing $89. My first question is are the Norma pliers required to remove and emplace the Norma cobra clamps or can this be done with another conventional tool? Secondly, has anyone used with success another type of hose clamp and if yes, what type. Any other advice on the subject will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help.

TimV

 

I cannot remember anyone mentioning removing and reinstalling the Norma connectors successfully. Perhaps with a new octopus hose with the included new female side of the connectors everything can get back together correctly. They are located above the cats on each side and the plastic has been roasted for all these years. Considering that they are incredibly difficult to get to and then brittle this is not an easy task. The simple solution is to cut them out and use short pieces of heater hose and clamps.

 

I think Goldlion is talking about the Norma Cobra all metal clamps. Those will pop open if you squeeze the outer ears with pliers, and can be snapped closed with pliers.

 

Correct Whitexkr, I will be replacing the small hoses originating from the coolant fill reservoir. Both ends have the Norma cobra clips. If I understand you correctly it is possible to remove and replace the clips with conventional pliers. In essence, I need not buy the Norma pliers for $89 ?

 

Here's a view of one open on the left and one closed on the right. Makes it a little easier to see how they work:


This is one of the Expansion Tank hoses I expect you want to remove?

As WhiteXKY says, easy to open and close with ordinary pliers.

 

Yes, conventional pliers. If they do not instantly pop open when you squeeze the outer ears, you can lever it very gently while squeezing the outer ears with a small screwdriver in the rectangular window. Do not force it or you can deform the clamp with the screwdriver.

 

+1

Squeeze outer ears together to open:



and inner ears together:



to close:



Very little pressure required.

Graham

 

Graham, thank you for the followup clarification. I will snap a few photos when I replace the hoses.

 

Why not just replace them with ordinary jubilee clips/hose clamps ?

 

There's two reasons Norma clips are used on cooling sytems with plastic components:

1. speed of assembly
2. constant maximum required force applied around the circumference

It's the second reason why Jubilee Clips are not used. With a rubber hose onto a metal outlet, overtightening is not a problem. With a plastic outlet, it's all too easy to overtighten and break the outlet.

Graham

 

fair enough......they are used for same reason as Philips head screws ....for people who don't know how much torque to apply

 

I don't think the problem is just too much torque. It's the pressure being more evenly applied around the circumference of the outlet. Jubilee clamps are notorious for having inconsistent pressure. They also can loosen which the Norman ones are less prone to do. Metal outlets are more forgiving than the plastic ones.

 

Can the Norma /cobra clamp be replaced by a constant tension clamp or spring clamp on the plastic coolant reservoir? It appears the clamp size is around 16 mm.
Thanks, Mike