I have a 2003 Tahoe and the heater hoses attached towards the wall of the cab are held there by plastic connectors that go bad. I have noticed a method using a Dorman connector, others used a clamp. Is the end that comes out of the truck metal that I can slip a hose over both of those connections? or are they plastic? Would a preferred long term approach to put a hose over it and hard clamp it vs. plastic. Looking for expert mechanic advice, for since I have a leaking water pump at 120K miles all hoses are getting redone later this week as well. Jim

 

As I understand it, its best to use the spring type hose clamp vs the screw drive hose clamps on vehicles with plastic fittings, as the spring type ones will allow for expansion and contraction of the plastic, whereas the screw drive type do not allow for expansion and will eventually cause the plastic connection to deform and crack eventually breaking apart to pieces...
I don't know if that helped answer your question but I hope it provided some helpful input

 

If the tubing coming from inside the cab, stainless high quality metal screw drive clamps work great, otherwise spring clamp or the dreaded plastic Dorman 840 attachments. Anyone have a really good GM repair manual or experience with those details?

 

I would like to avoid all plastic if possible. advice?