How hard can it be to find a freaking t-bolt clamp?!?

[belfert]

I have now spent nearly four hours looking for a simple t-bolt clamp with spring.  It shouldn't be this hard.  I've been to six truck parts places and everything they have is too big or too small.  I've called the original manufacturer of the clamp and they were pretty much jerks.  I didn't expect them to sell me the clamp, but at least tell me who I could order one from.  They gave me two distributors neither of whom would sell me one clamp.  I called back to the manufacturer and asked them for the name of any retailer anywhere who could order one of their clamps and they were not helpful in the least.

I've been searching the Internet for the right size and have come up blank so far.  I tried MCI and they couldn't help.  I tried the local Detroit dealer and they couldn't help either.

The original clamp is an R. G. Ray 848-86.  R. G. Ray couldn't even tell me the specs on the clamp.  (All the engineers are gone until Monday sir.)  I found one retailer on the Internet that says they have and can get R. G. Ray, but when I called them they no longer deal with R. G. Ray.

[belfert]

I think I finally found one at McMaster-Carr.  It isn't exactly the same, but it will have to do I guess.

[stevet903]

Ryder Fleet Products has them

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/ryder/af/ryder/core/search/gcsProductSearch.do?event=next&keyword=t-bolt+hose+clamps&searchCriteria=0&searchType=5&fullSentence=yes

as well as Napa.  Hope this helps for the next time....

Steve

[Just Dallas]

Brian, what is the clamp for and what size is it? I have a whole pile of used ones that will probably fit about anything you need. I know it's a long shot, but, >>>>> got a picture of the old one??

[belfert]

I haven't ordered anything yet.  I would still like to get one of the same style if possible.  Nothing Ryder Fleet Products has is the right size.  Either too small or too big.  I can't recall if I checked NAPA yet or not.  I found the MCI part number, but it is special order.

I have attached a picture of the same style clamp as mine.  Mine is 5 3/8" diameter when fully closed.  I don't know what the diameter is when full opened.

I might just put the original clamp on and hope it doesn't end up wearing through the rubber intake hose.  The little plate that protects the hose from the clamp rubbing on it has fallen off.

[eagle19952]

The little plate that protects the hose from the clamp rubbing on it has fallen off.....
that little plate accomplishes COMPLETE sealing 360 degrees, and causes the hose not to kink or leak.....

[stevet903]

If it's for the intake you might not need the spring.  Do you have a Fastenal in your area?

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0407054&ucst=t

[belfert]

If it's for the intake you might not need the spring.  Do you have a Fastenal in your area?

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0407054&ucst=t

I found the clamps without the spring locally.  I figured the spring might be important with the seasonal variations in temperature from -20 in the winter to 100+ in the summer.  Maybe the spring isn't as important as I thought.

I didn't think about the little plate being required for complete sealing.  I better replace this clamp for sure then.  I think I threw the little plate away as I thought it came off a different smaller clamp where the the bolt snapped when I was taking it off.  (No issues replacing the smaller clamp.)

[Ace]

Push come to shove, I have a mess of then in various sizes!

[luvrbus]

these guys will have it www.trucknbusclamps.com

good luck

[artvonne]

  The Bounder was built on an Oshkosh chassis. Mercedes (Daimler Benz), not only bought out Frieghtliner, they also bought out Oshkosh, and handed Oshkosh over to Frieghliner. Fleetwood, the makers of Bounder, push all parts and service of the Chassis off to Oshkosh/Frieghtliner and are totally unhelpful. I only needed a stupid heater blower fan motor and after various phone calls got a hold of a Frieghtliner parts center, who in turn told me I had to call some other parts center that handled Oshkosh parts...IE "the runaround".

 So I make yet another phone call, to the number given to me....it was a phone sex line.

 Screw the spring clamp and BS runarounds and use a normal heavy duty clamp. You dont see clamps coming loose on exhaust and they experience far greater temperature swings. You gotta be smarter than the bolt or wrench, or in this case, the micky mouse parts people.  

[belfert]

I finally just ordered a clamp from McMaster-Carr.  It will be here Thursday or Friday.  There is a regional delivery service that can often get packages from Chicago to Minneapolis overnight for less than what UPS ground costs.  I never would have thought that clamp would be a somewhat unique size that nobody stocks.

[artvonne]

  I would have though Interstate Diesel over in New Brighton would have had something that would work. Just because you have that clamp on your Bus, doesnt mean its what it came with, or the only brand that will work.

[belfert]

I tried Interstate Diesel this morning and they said that clamp was provided by the vehicle manufacturer.  I didn't really care if the clamp came from the original manufacturer.  Neither Breeze nor Ideal make that size.  I don't think Clampco does either.  I went back to the original manufacturer of the clamp because nobody else seems to make a clamp that size.

This evening I was looking for a flat washer.  I found the little backing plate for the original clamp that I thought I threw away.  I guess the new clamp will be a spare just in case.

[artvonne]

  Did you ask Interstate what they would use if they couldnt find the original?? Maybe your asking the question wrong. Likely no one, not even the manufacture will have the original clamp if the Bus is very old. Interstate used to work on Detroits almost exclusively. I dont know what they are doing these days, but I cant imagine they wouldnt have some idea how to make it work.  I really dont think the spring is all that critical, you just need a good clamp.