Getting Radiator Hoses Off ??

[Ohio Mike]

I'm in the process of removing the radiator so I can then remove the header pipes so I can then remove the water manifold and replace the O-rings that are leaking!

Anyhow, does anyone have any hints on how to get the hoses off the radiator? I can't seem to get hold of them and am afraid to get too crazy with a screwdriver. I don't want to tear the bike the rest of the way down to replace the hoses too!

Any hints will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike in Celina

[Ditto]

When I replaced my o-rings, I didn't take off the header pipes. It may have been easier if I had though. In all the times I've taken the radiators off various Voyagers, I've taken out the four bolts and two screws and loosened the hose clamps a lot. Once there was a little room to move the radiator, I rocked the top of the radiator from side to side and pushed and pulled until the hose came off. Then I moved to the large one on the bottom, twisted it loose, and then moved to the small one and twisted it loose as well. The small hose is always the hardest to get off, but don't give up and grab a screwdriver. Sometimes they can all be stubborn, but they eventually will come loose. I think it would be next to impossible to get the hoses off with the radiator still bolted onto the bike. Hope this helps.

[Ohio Mike]

Thanks Gary.

I have the radiator loose so I am on the right track. I wiggled the radiator around and started going after the top hose with a screwdriver when I decided that could be a big mistake. Have all the clamps loose too. Will get to 'wiggling' again tomorrow. The bike has 86k miles on it (the last 36k are mine) and as far as I know the radiator has never been off so it may take some persuading!

Thanks for the tip.

Mike in Celina

[David (N. Alabama)]

Harbor Freight, (and I'm sure others as well), sells a little tool to aid in taking the radiator hose loose.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=96572

If you are handy, you could probably bend something to look like this.

[The Count]

I have one of those tools from Snap-On. It works amazingly well. Push the point in under the edge of the hose and work it as far around the hose as possible then grab the hose and rotate it a little and pull. Even the toughest hoses come right off.....The Count

[ksawatsky]

Harbor Freight, (and I'm sure others as well), sells a little tool to aid in taking the radiator hose loose.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=96572

If you are handy, you could probably bend something to look like this.

Awesome for taking off 18 year old hoses on my '93. Thanks -- AGAIN -- for the suggestion!

[ekap1200]

Same tool here , Snap On, had mine since the 70's Has many other uses also, some silicon spray while your using the tool to lift the end up will help also, or crc in a pinch.

I have one of those tools from Snap-On. It works amazingly well. Push the point in under the edge of the hose and work it as far around the hose as possible then grab the hose and rotate it a little and pull. Even the toughest hoses come right off.....The Count