Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

No spring inside silicone lower radiator hose

nondem

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Apr 17, 2021
Messages
197
Location
Tallahassee, Fl. USA
I replaced all my coolant hoses w/silicone ones w/constant tension clamps. It went fine with no leaks on a 100 mile test drive.
It occured to me after that - the new lower hose didn't have an internal spring to prevent collapse. It obviously wasn't an issue on my test drive but should I swap the spring over from the old one? I've read that it should have a spring and I've also read that the new silicone hoses have built in reenforcement to prevent collapse. I dunno what to believe.
 
Last edited:
The lower hose of the 4.0 used to need the spring to keep it from collapsing. Fast forward to now, and it isn't needed, the hose material is much better.
 
The topic of the lower radiator spring comes up regularly on one of the classic car forums I frequent. Folks who worked at GM back in the day explained that during vehicle assembly the cooling system was filled by pulling a vacuum on the system to draw a measured amount of fluid in without having to burp the system. The spring was to prevent the hose from collapsing due to the vacuum.
 
The topic of the lower radiator spring comes up regularly on one of the classic car forums I frequent. Folks who worked at GM back in the day explained that during vehicle assembly the cooling system was filled by pulling a vacuum on the system to draw a measured amount of fluid in without having to burp the system. The spring was to prevent the hose from collapsing due to the vacuum.

I’m not sure that’s accurate. I have a vacuum fill tool and it collapses all hoses every time I pull a vacuum on the system. The vacuum in the cooling system then pulls the new coolant in. I’ve used the tool on multiple vehicles and ATVs.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts