Has anyone been able to remove this without a special tool? If a special tool is required, where can i get one? Thanks.

 

Hmm... I hate posting a question and then answering it... but, I found on Stratmosphere's website, they just tell you to cut the clamp off with some tin cutters, and then they use zip ties to hold the new hoses in place. Zip Ties!? hmm.... I have lots of zip ties, but will this work?! I mean, how much pressure / movement is done on the vaccuum (?) lines of the BPV's?

 

I don't mean to state the obvious but your best bet is to swing by a friend's garage that might have those clamps (I wouldn't trust zip ties either). Or you could go by an auto parts store and pick up a few of 'em. Unfortunately the tool used to pinch down the clamp is a little unusual, it basically looks like a set of wire cutters but vertical (as opposed the traditional horizontal design. I realize this is fairly vague, but I could definitely do it more justice to draw it. I'll look for a pic of the tool and try to post it.

 

They look somwhat like these

[IMG]local://upfiles/2004/6A6AF4D58EED4049BE08E61B51D226AF.jpg[/IMG]

 

just use scissors

 

Yeah... unfortunately those are one-time use clamps. They need to be cut. Just be careful not to damage the hose!

You can get small hose clamps that can be used as a replacement fit - any auto parts store or hardware store will have the right sizes.