Review: Astro 9406 Hose Clamp Plier Set - 7 Piece
This page contains affiliate links. Any purchases you make through clicking on the links below may result in us receiving a small commission at no cost to you – Learn More –
Have you ever struggled with removing factory hose clamps? The friendly hose clamps that utilized screws have not been used by automakers for years. If you have ever had the unfortunate pleasure of removing one of these clamps without the proper tools, you may have some idea of how frustrating they can be! The Astro 9406 Hose Clamp Plier Set designed to allow easy removal and installation of these clamps.
It you have done any work on older vehicles (1980s and earlier), you have no doubt had experience with the screw or worm drive hose clamps. These are very simple to use as the only downside to installing and removing these is that you have to have them positioned in a spot where you can reach them with a screwdriver. These clamps do have some drawbacks, however. They don’t tend to grip the hose evenly and the tension is not constant. If the hose shrinks, leakage can occur. They do not work well for small hoses either as flat spots can develop at the point where the tension screw draws the steel band in.
Spring tension clamps provide constant clamping force around all parts of the hose. Because they are under constant tension, they will also contract with the hose as needed and provide a better all around seal. They require no adjustment and tend to provide years of leak free operation.
The Astro 9406 Hose Clamp Plier Set is designed to easily remove and install a wide variety these clamps. Made in Taiwan, the set appears to be very well made. The only two issues I can find are the sticker on the case is laughably peeling (See pictures) and the plastic knob that retains the cable for the pliers is not large enough to hold the cable in place in one spot. These are both small issues, however, and not related to tool finish or function.
If you have used channel lock pliers in the past to remove these clamps and experienced great frustration, these might be for you!
With seven different styles of pliers, the Astro 9406 Hose Clamp Plier Set can be used for hose clamps on many makes and models of automobiles. In addition, this set will also cover a wide range of sizes. This kit also incorporates the famous Astro Pneumatic 9409A cable hose clamp plier, so no need to buy that separately.
Each plier has a ratcheting mechanism allowing you to lock the hose clamp in five different positions while it’s compressed. This frees up your hand and makes installation and removal very convenient, as well as saving your knuckles in tight spaces. Where applicable, the jaws of the pliers also swivel, allowing the them to be used at multiple angles.
Other than the decal peeling terribly. These tools have held up very well to being used. I have not found a hose clamp yet that one of these tools would not fit. Should there be an issue with durability, the pliers all come with a lifetime warranty.
The remote hose clamp plier (9409A) seems to fit the hose clamps I run into most often. This is a bonus as the pliers require very little room to operate.
A few examples of what this set will remove/install:
Self-tightening hose clamps (11/16 – 2.5″), spring wire hose clamps (automotive and appliance), flat band hose clamps, and fuel/vacuum lines (5/32″ – 1/2″)
If you have ever had the misfortune of having to remove one of these clamps without the proper tools, you can understand how much time these can eat up when trying to take them off. Since these can save so much time and headache, I would highly recommend this set. Even for the occasional do it yourselfer, there is a good chance you will need to remove one of these clamps at some point. The time this kit saves makes it well worth the price.