Crimp on clamps

[Westone]

Hi, I will soon be replacing the rubber boots or "Bushings" on top of the throttle bodies, connecting them to the plastic air box. They have the original factory crimp on style clamps. Any suggestions on how to remove the clamps without tearing up the plastic air box or anything else? I was thinking of taking some wire cutters to the raised crimped section of clamp, but there may be an easier method.
Thanks!

[WayneDW]

I used some small wire cutters on the raised part of the clamp.

[sh00ter]

I used some small wire cutters on the raised part of the clamp.

+1 on this. Just take your time.

[detbmw]

I replaced these on my k75 a couple months ago. I put BMW clamps back on and had to buy the special tool to get them on. If you want to put new OEM clamps back on, I can loan the tool to you if you will just cover postage.

Or you can put the screw-type clamps on. There is a post on here that gives ordering information on these.

[Westone]

That's kind of you to offer, and I would take you up on it except I ordered screw type clamps when I ordered the the bushings, and already have them on hand. I didn't even look at the price of the crimping tool because I assumed it would just be prohibitively expensive for a probable one time use.

[Westone]

It's good I checked the parts I ordered before cutting the existing clamps off. The screw style FI clamp, which I ordered from the parts fiche for my bike and was illustrated right in the location I want to use it, is maybe 1/16" too wide to fit in the channels on the TB bushing. No local sources I can find for FI clamps in a large enough diameter for this application, all the FI clamps at the auto parts houses are small diameter. And no one has the Oetiker style clamps used originally.

I am just now reading on http://bmwsporttouring.com a thread where the general consensus is that end nipper style clamps are an easy and inexpensive substitute for the genuine crimping tool. Apparently one difference between the two tools is that the actual crimping does not close fully, leaving about a 1/16" gap. So the nippers require care not to apply too much force, and most posters advised filing the sharp edge off the nippers, though one stated s/he had used sharp nippers for crimping oetiker clamps successfully numerous times. I may give this a try if my local BMW dealer has the oetiker clamps in stock.

[Scott_]

I have used the most narrow screw clamps I could find, they were still wider than the groove in the bushing, and they did seal just fine, removable again at next service.
The only issue to be careful of is the location of the screw head/worm assy, but they can be used.

YMMV

[Westone]

The clamps I ordered and have on hand are about 1mm or so too wide for the channels in the bushing, just barely. So you also had clamps too wide for the channels and used them successfully to seal the bushings. I may proceed with what I have and see how it goes. Worst case, it doesn't work and the bike is down while waiting on parts.

[WayneDW]

If you want some screw-on clamps that fit see this thread:
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=3826.msg23480#msg23480
The Suzuki clamps mentioned work very well.

[Westone]

Thanks Wayne.

[WayneDW]

Thanks Wayne.

You are welcome.

[Westone]

The local dealer had the crimp on style clamps in stock. Without me asking about it, he volunteered that if I was careful I could use end nippers to install them, and it didn't make since for me to purchase the tool for just a single job. With these in hand it's just a matter of finding a window of time to get back in there and do it. My girlfriend is moving this weekend, so it's not looking good anytime soon.