changing out the radiator on my '99 grand cherokee. they are regular rubber hoses with clamps on them. slid the clams up and tugged on them for about 30 mins and they won't move. i don't want to bend the metal lines coming off the radiator but i can' get these sobs to move. anybody got any tricks other than just cutting the hoses off?

1/9/2010 2:49:39 PM

they are a bitch but you will need to take a pick and some greaseand work it between the hose and the pipe all the way around the line.

1/9/2010 2:52:49 PM

ok i'll try that and get back. as cold as it is i'm wondering if i i should just cut the damn things off thanks man

1/9/2010 3:22:12 PM

Unless the hoses are expensive, the cut and scrape method is a proven winner.

And, depending on how old the current hoses are, you could be taking care of a potential maintenance item anyway.

1/9/2010 4:32:12 PM

actually ended up taking a lighter and holding it for about 4 seconds them wiggled it then and they came right off.

[Edited on January 9, 2010 at 6:04 PM. Reason : .]

1/9/2010 6:04:09 PM

actually while you guys are here, is there a scrap metal place i can take my old radiator? scrap aluminum is like 83 cents per lb that should buy me lunch. or should i just trash the thing?

1/9/2010 6:47:17 PM

TT&E in Garner.

[Edited on January 9, 2010 at 7:50 PM. Reason : .]

1/9/2010 7:50:01 PM

I've poured boiling water on sensitive hoses like that before to get them off. Doesn't risk melting the hose. PB Blaster will also swell rubber...and destroy it if you don't clean it off.

1/9/2010 10:28:13 PM

what 919 said as well as american metal on 70 in clayton.

1/10/2010 12:18:24 AM

I rolled up to TT&E with a truck full of copper a while back. A small mob of scrap men shuffled up and surrounded the vehicle asking questions. It was like something out of a zombie movie.

1/10/2010 12:25:25 AM

"scrap men" as in people who worked there or other customers who were wondering where you got all the copper?

[Edited on January 10, 2010 at 12:38 AM. Reason : some folks do nothing but scrap metal for a living. they get all territorial and shit.]

1/10/2010 12:37:28 AM

no they REALLY do. we got a fellow that comes to our shop and looks over the entire area.

1/10/2010 1:31:29 AM

Quote :

"actually ended up taking a lighter and holding it for about 4 seconds them wiggled it then and they came right off."

I helped someone winterize a boat the other day and we had to do the same thing. I've never been unable to twist and snatch a coolant hose after undoing the hose clamps, but those things were locked on tight. I had him put the space heater on it while we drained the block and manifolds and sure enough, 15 minutes later, I was able to twist those hoses and get them to come off with no problem. Rubber doesn't like cold temps.

1/10/2010 2:42:36 AM