I just had my '14 LX 570 timing belt chain done in the last couple of weeks. I just found out today that the clamps this shop used doesn't seemed to be genuine OEM clamps. What could be the issues with these style of clamps? If it's not recommended by Toyota, what could I do at this point?
What are some issues with these style of clamps? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Charlielj
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You are definitely correct that worm gear clamps are not stock. The stock clamps are pressure fit / spring clamps. Some of the issues that I've observed with worm gear clamps over the years:
-They are often overtightened to the point where the hose deforms
-they are easy to break compared to spring clamps (like stock clamps)
Nonetheless, I'm sure they will work for a long time. In my mind, replacing them all with OEM clamps is a no-brainer.
-They are often overtightened to the point where the hose deforms
-they are easy to break compared to spring clamps (like stock clamps)
Nonetheless, I'm sure they will work for a long time. In my mind, replacing them all with OEM clamps is a no-brainer.
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I assumed these worm gear clamps are much cheaper than stock clamps. He did show me the stock clamps that he took. Assuming he hasn't thrown them away, could I simply ask him to put it back on? Would that be too much to ask? Or is this something I would simply just do it myself?
For the hoses that have coolant in them, pulling them off to reinstall the OEM clamps would be a bit messy and time-consuming. Probably have to drain and refill coolant. The hoses were reused, why the heck didn’t they reuse the clamps. Also, why was the timing chain worked on or replaced?
This.
Yes they're not stock but that type of clamp has been used for a long time. If properly sized and installed they work just fine.
In addition to the more consistent pressure of the OEM clamps, don't forget that the other benefit for Toyota in using those clamps is on the assembly line. They are MUCH faster to assemble repeatably in a production environment. I'd wager that benefit alone is how they won their way onto most vehicles, not just superior clamping performance.
All that said, you have to remove the hoses to replace with OEM clamps, so it'll take some time, probably an hour or two to replace them all. You also run the risk of damaging a hose or two removing them depending on how long they've been on. I'd personally just monitor those clamps for evidence of leaks or hose damage every month or two, and replace them at your next coolant drain and fill interval.
In addition to the more consistent pressure of the OEM clamps, don't forget that the other benefit for Toyota in using those clamps is on the assembly line. They are MUCH faster to assemble repeatably in a production environment. I'd wager that benefit alone is how they won their way onto most vehicles, not just superior clamping performance.
All that said, you have to remove the hoses to replace with OEM clamps, so it'll take some time, probably an hour or two to replace them all. You also run the risk of damaging a hose or two removing them depending on how long they've been on. I'd personally just monitor those clamps for evidence of leaks or hose damage every month or two, and replace them at your next coolant drain and fill interval.
bloc
SILVER Star
Yes spring clamps are quicker and that's a major reason OEM's use them, but over the long term they simply apply their clamping force much more evenly around the circumference of the hose. The worm-gear clamps inevitably have some deviation from perfect round roughly where the worm gear part is.. this squeezes the rubber unevenly and ultimately causes damage to the hose rubber. It's more of a factor the smaller the hose diameter.
If it were my rig? I'd put the spring clamps back on. The hoses will last longer as a result, and that's worth the work and spilled coolant to do the job. But that's me and my slightly OCD tendencies.
If it were my rig? I'd put the spring clamps back on. The hoses will last longer as a result, and that's worth the work and spilled coolant to do the job. But that's me and my slightly OCD tendencies.
