What is the consensus on re-using the factory spring clamps? I'm switching out a few hoses and I'm wondering if I should spring for new ones of if these originals are still good to use. Right now I can spin some of the clamps around on the hose pretty easily, but if I move the clamp up onto a section of the hose that hasn't been compressed it fits pretty snug. I'd imagine you can just wrap the clamp around something with a smaller diameter to add some tension back into it too but I don't know if it would be comparable to new ones or if it's risking a vacuum leak.

 

Spring clamps are an engineering compromise intended to speed assembly. Are they adequate, yes. Are they ideal, no. Are they still functional, that's up to you to test. If you can pull the hose off the barb without releasing the clamp, or its leaking air, you might consider replacing them.

 

Oetiker style clamps are awesome. Won’t vibrate loose. Really need the pliers to apply them. I wrench on VWs too.

 

You should never reuse , Should always replace. You never know on reassembly how much spring to hold they lost. With that said...……. Am I guilty of reusing them? Very. But I do gauge my opinion on whether they are good or not by how much of a fight it takes to open them up, and the actual visual condition. rusty, no. Out of round, no.

 

Well said.