While checking fluid levels in my 2004 F150 SuperCab, I noticed that one of the radiator hose clamps looked abnormal. I grabbed one of the clamps and it broke in half! After further inspection, all of the radiator hose clamps were broken either in half or more pieces! They were rusted completely through! Fortunately I caught this before my truck decided to dump all of the radiator fluid out on one of my many trips. Has anyone heard of this issue?

 

take it to the dealership, they will fix you and your wallet

 

I've seen a few where the spring clamps aren't compressed. Time for a visit to your dealer.

 

Thanks for the input. Looks like a trip to the dealer for me!

 

Pictures? I'd love to see pictures of this. I find it highly unlikely that all could suffer the same problem

 

A former co-worker of mine traded his '04 XLT Supercab for an '04 Lariat Supercab...came back with a coolant leak a couple weeks later, the lower radiator hose clamp on the end going to the oil filter housing was broken.

 

where are you located where the rust is that bad? guess im checking my clamps tomorrow!!

 

I am located in Louisiana, but the truck was purchased in Galveston, TX. This had to be poor material to corrode so quick! Trust me, the upper and lower radiaror hose clamps were rusted internally to fail like this. I replaced them with the screw type clamps, but I will go to the dealership and show them the factory clamps!

 

Just replace it with a high-quality stainless clamp and you'll be protected from a clamp failure.

The spring clamps are crap, but when you look at the costs of stainless x 000's--if not millions--of vehicles, it would cost a fortune.

 

Yeah, but Ford would get a bulk discount, for sure, from a supplier for something like that. I wonder what level of profit is "enough" for them. For me, anything under the hood should have had "no expense spared," within reason of course. But that's just me.

-Travis

 

They were like that on my 02' Super duty.The problem was when I tried to take the "good" ones off to replace them they were glued on with some sort of adhesive.

 

Sorry you don't believe me, but I would not have post this if it were not true. I'm just trying to positively contribute a little info to help others out.

 

Its not that I don't believe you. I'd just like to see what they look like. I've never liked the spring type of clamp myself and considering how hot our summers are here in central Texas I'd sure as hell not want mine to fail.

 

and its appreciated.

I'm gonna have a look this weekend.

 

WOW - that's not something anyone wants is radiator fluid leaking - I have a 3 week old '05 Screw and am going to go ahead and replace the factory clamps with the aftermarket auto clamps....come to think of it - I'll do the same on my '05 Mustang GT - I'd bet Ford is using the same cheesy clamps on that one as well.

Thanks for the heads up - I would never have thought to check those!!