how to stop a leaky hose? any tips?

[jasonb]

i have a leak from where a 3/8" ID line connects to a hardline. specifically the hoses that to and from the stock auxillary trans cooler.
the hardlines had a little raised ring around them at then end. i had to cut them back a little when making my hidden winch mount. i obviously lost that raised ring when i cut them back. its been working fine with the hose over the hardline and a hose clamp for a few weeks now, but i had a BAD leak yesterday from it. i guess its just not getting a good seal without that little raised ring. is there a tip or trick to getting a good tight seal to avoid having trans fluid sprayed all over the front suspension? one side is fine, but one is leaking bad. i'm assuming the return line is the one leaking but i don't know which is which. i wonder if i could use 5/16" hose to get a tighter grip or would that restrict the flow too much?

 

[mrboyle]

There are a couple things you can try. First, make sure the end of the rubber hose is not split or crushed from the clamp. If it is, cut the bad end off. Then, using a flairing tool, slightly flair the end of the hard line. Reinstall the rubber hose and use 2 hose clamps. Make sure you place the worm drive on the clamps 180deg. from each other, that way they put equal clamping force on both sides of the hose.
Your other option is to go to a parts store and pick up some barb couplers(sp?). They are a bass coupler that uses a crush flair (similar to air lines on an air shock) on one end and a barb fiting on the other end. This is the best fix.

 

[Blee1099]

Not sure if it'll work for you but you can use a plumbing compression coupler. I've been thinking it might be a good trail fix if you ever broke one of the those tranny cooler lines when going wheeling..

 

[jasonb]

thanks mike! i'll go check on the barb fiting tomorrow. if i can't find that i'll try the flairing method. thanks man..

blee.. i actually thought of that too but didn't have any that fit here at the house.

 

[Blee1099]

I think it would work Jason.. Maybe I'll get a chance one day on the trails to find out.. or I could just grab one at a junk yard next time and cut it in half to see if it'll work.