Air hose for VW

Ton

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Location
Free Union,VA
TDI
early 2001 jetta
I can't get the spring clamps put on my air line after the turbo. Do I need a special tool?
 

bbarbulo

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2003
Location
Windsor, ON, Canada
are worth their weight in gold. :) :)
only if you work on German cars a lot.

I've always wanted a pair of specific pliers for those clamps, but never bought them.

I just use channel lock (the actual brand) pliers. I grasp the clamp, move it to a firm location, then readjust the pliers to be able to open the clamp completely. time consuming, but saves me real-estate in my tool boxes.
 
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UhOh

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Location
PNW
TDI
2000 & 2003 Golf GLS (2005 Mercedes E320 CDI)
Borrow a set and then do an ALH timing belt... you may never be able to go back to channel-locks again, especially for the lower intercooler hose. :D
Yeah, I have no idea how folks could do that one without one of these tools!

First specialty tool I bought after I got my first TDI (and VW).
 

Ton

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Location
Free Union,VA
TDI
early 2001 jetta
I tried the channel lock brand- pure misery and frustration. Thanks for the replies.
 

JB05

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Location
Il.USA
TDI
Golf,2005,anthracite blue
Where do you buy spring clamp pliers? Snap-on truck?
Got mine from idparts. They are ratcheted which helps a lot. I still use pliers for the smaller clamps in tighter surroundings.
 

mjydrafter

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2015
Location
dsm, ia
TDI
2004 Jetta Wagon
Those cable operated spring clamp pliers are the bomb. Get some.

I have had pretty good luck out at the junk yard, with being able to move those clamps around a bit by prying on one or the other of the tabs. You have to push so you are loosening the clamp a bit, but they will usually turn so you can get them into an easier position to get at them with regular pliers or a smaller set of channel locks.

Those bottom ones aren't much fun as there isn't much room, even for the cable pliers.
 
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