How on earth do I reach these clamps to replace them? I've got PS leak and would like to replace the clamps to hopefully at least temporarily stop the leak up there so I can see if there are leaks anywhere else, but even after undoing the three bolts for the reservoir bracket, I'm not sure I can get to the front hose clamp, and it appears completely impossible to access the rear hose clamp, which I can't even see since it's behind and beneath the reservoir. There is zero extra length in the hoses to lift the reservoir up to reach them. Other people made it sound like this was a 2 minute job, is there something I'm missing?

NAM pic:

 

They are not fun. The original Oetker clamps are what you need - with the pliers that cut at a 90 degeee angle. I struggled. I ‘think’ my do over would be to disconnect at the bottom, do the reservoir ones out of the car.

 

Yeah I kind of assumed if I did a full hose replacement I'd connect at the reservoir first and then at the pump from under the car. But everyone made it sound like just swapping out these clamps was no problem, but I literally can't see how it can be possible to swap at least the rear one (I think maybe I could do the front one with enough cursing).

 

They are indeed not fun. You can move the coolant expansion tank out of the way to get a bit more room to snip the clamps off. Don't plan on re-using the factory clamps, my advice is to replace them by screw clamps.

And be very careful about sitting the hoses all the way when re-installing. I didn't, and later on when pulling the subframe, the hose popped. Though getting the subframe off makes it very easy to access those clamps, but that'd be very overkill.

 

You want to use the oe style - with pliers like these to close it. The screw type was my problem.

https://www.mactools.com/products/p220

 

Here is the DIY: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ing-hoses.html

They are a pain to get off and tighten up.



These are the ones where you crimp with this tool when you have a new clamp.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben.../006343sch01a/






Maybe remove the airbox to give you some more room. Or expansion tank. Then slide the crimp tool between the airbox location and the engine. Do the rear one first with the closest hose out of the way might help.

 

+1 remove the expansion tank for more room. use oe clamps

or if you will be pulling the subframe for other work do it then

 

Just a small fyi: the oe clamps are called "ear clamps" and the screw type are called "jubilee clamps".

I am not a fan of the jubilee clamps as you can easily overtighten them and then cut into the hose.

I changed my power steering lines when the subframe was off so I can't be much of a help on this one.

 

Took the battery box out and then it was very do-able, though still a bit of a pain. It looks like fluid is still welling up a bit though so I probably should have just done the whole hose replacement job in the first place....

 

good idea, taking the battery out. didn't think of that. seems obvious now