OTC 4521 Automotive Hose Removal Tool
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Hello,br>I threw the package away, and the manufacturer's name isn't on the tool, but I believe it was made in Taiwan. But it's built to last.
The last section of mine, inside the hook, is 1. 25". The one I use at work, on the other hand, is shorter and does a good job of relieving the seal on long slip hose connections; my only issue with it is that the last bend prevents it from getting to some places. Only the first two bends of the handle are bent on the one I use at work. It's a lot easier to get into really tight spots now.
I can't promise it will work with hoses with small diameters. Radiator and heater hoses are the most common applications.
Yes, the hoses can be reused after they've been removed. This tool makes it simple to break the sticky seal that old hoses develop; just make sure you get all the way under the hose because it's possible to stab the hose in the middle, which would cause damage.
Selected User Reviews For OTC 4521 Automotive Hose Removal Tool
Simply insert the tip between the hose and the fitting, rotate it around the hose's inner circumference, and pull the hose away. br>br>However, when removing hoses with this tool, don't be too aggressive or sloppy. With this tool's time point, it's possible to pierce the hose by accident. When I was working on my boat, I encountered this problem with a seawater hose that I couldn't see and had to manhandle.
There are no knuckles with blood on them. This device is fantastic. I'm constantly battling hoses stuck on water pumps, thermostat housings, and everything else. Whatever the case may be, the hoses appear to be glued in place. The hook's shape works well at separating the hose from any neck it's on, and the way the thing is angled allows me to get around the entire neck most of the time. br>br>On the other hand, there is one disadvantage: It's possible that you won't be able to re-enter your information every time. The sharp point allows you to get in between the hose and the neck it is attached to, but because the sharp tip allows this, it will also pierce the hose with little effort if you start lifting the hose away from the neck with the tool. I did damage one hose to the point where I couldn't use it again due to the sharp tip, but the time and aggravation saved working on an old truck and family vehicles was WELL WORTH damaging the one hose. br>br>I did damage one hose to the point where I couldn't use it again due to the sharp tip, but the time and aggravation saved working on an old truck and family vehicles was WELL WORTH damaging the one hose. It was well worth it to me because I didn't end up with bloody knuckles from the hose flying off from my hand jamming against the engine when the hose finally dislodged from the tug of war and tools flying down the street after the cussing fit.
This is one of those tools that is both inexpensive and simple to use that everyone who works with hoses and barbed fittings should own. It's just a handle attached to a steel hook, that's all there is to it. The hook is sharp enough to wiggle between the hose and the fitting and break it loose if it becomes 'glued' to the fitting, and the larger the hose, the better it works; it appears to be made for radiator hoses, but it has worked on every hose I've tried it on so far. br>One word of caution: the hook's end is sharp, as it must be to get under a hose tight on a fitting, so pay attention to the angle of the hook as you use it to ensure it does not pierce the hose if you plan to reuse it. This shouldn't be a problem if you proceed with caution, but it's worth noting. I should also mention that the 'twist' of the hook is designed for right-handed people; if you have a hose that you can only reach with your left hand, or if you were born left-handed, you will need to use it with greater caution. It will still work, but you must take extra precautions to ensure that the point remains between the hose and the fitting. br>br>It appears to be built reasonably well, so far so good, and the hook appears to be made of high-quality steel. The hook pulling out of the handle is about the only potential issue, but it has remained tight so far. If it ever comes undone, only time will tell. My first thought after using it to remove the radiator hoses on my truck was, "Why didn't I think of that?" The hoses simply popped off instead of wrestling with them.
- edit- br>br>After using this tool for a while, I decided to give it a 5-star rating. star. I wasn't sure how durable this tool would be or how well it would hold up under heavy use. I was working on an agricultural sprayer with 2 inch hoses rated for 150 PSI, making a radiator hose seem flimsy in comparison. Anyway, the hoses were rusted to steel hose barbs, and if I hadn't had this tool, I'm sure I would have just cut the hose off just past the end of the hose barb, and removed the little piece off the barb any way I could, leaving me with a hose a couple inches too short. With care not to poke the hose, I worked the hook between the hose and barb, squirted soapy water in between (WD-10) and I moved a quarter turn from where I started and did it again (40 works well for that as well). By the time I got all the way around the hose, it had broken loose and was falling apart. I yanked it around as hard as I could without bending the hook, and it stayed in the handle securely. I've given up my 'old' method of removing hoses, which involved prying the hose loose with a small screwdriver, and can now say that the more I use this tool, the better I figure out the exact angle to hold it at, and the better it works. If you get oil or anti-freeze on the handle, it can become slick. It freezes on contact, but it cleans up much more easily than a rubbery or deeply textured surface would. It is, however, shaped in such a way that it does not easily slip.
This tool was discovered in Practical Sailor, and I needed it right away to remove 27-year-old wire-reinforced sanitation hoses. The hose was broken as a result of using this tool. Every time (18 times in total), the connection seal was perfect, making a difficult task much easier. I'm overjoyed to have discovered this hidden treasure.
Removal tool for OTC radiator hoses. Oh, if I know I'm going to have to replace a hose, I usually just cut it off with a razor blade or a cutter. However, you'll need a tool like this if the hose becomes "bonded" to the radiator or water neck and refuses to come off, and you don't want to damage the water neck or hose in the process. Of course, you must exercise caution when using the sharp point. In any case, this tool does an excellent job of removing most standard radiator hoses. Without hesitation, I would purchase this or a similar tool again.
The tip is a little sharp, so be careful; people have been known to pry and pop holes in hoses. This thing is a time saver and must have on most hoses, especially corroded stuck hoses; I've been impressed with it over the last year of use. I'd only used it a dozen times, including for an engine swap on the boat, but it was always quick and painless. Various sizes of hoses are available, ranging from small to large. I'm not going to go another day without one. The only time it won't help is if you can't get into a specific area while still working on the hose's neck. On the boat, I had one hose behind a heat exchanger that you couldn't reach and had to use a screwdriver to get behind - however, almost every other hose - It's my preferred weapon.
For those pesky hoses, this is an excellent tool. It has a threatening appearance, but it will do the job. I'm not sure I could have pried open my hose without a tool like this because it was in such a tight space and my hose felt super glued to the fitting. The cost of this item is very reasonable, especially considering that it saved me a lot of time and aggravation. One hose I had to remove from a plastic fitting just glided right out without much effort, so make sure your hose requires prying before purchasing this tool, but it's great for car mechanics. For me, I only needed it for a single use, and I believe it was well worth the small price.
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