Review on Dorman 800-409 HVAC Heater Hose Connector - Ideal for Compatible Models by Robert Demissie

I hate the fact that GM went for it, plastic has no place in the cooling system. But like them I replaced mine as the truck is not even 10 years old. The old ones were pretty brittle so it's about time. You can replace both the white and black QD with this one but one hose will be a bit big just use the right screw hose clamp and you'll be fine, worked for me. Make sure you cut the plastic clip off the black QD. Do not cut the hose unless you are replacing it. It's not long enough to connect to the new QD and still has enough slack to move the motor. Make sure you put them on fully, they feel like they will click but don't fully engage. Do a good stretch test, but not too much as you will be pulling on the heater core. I lubricated the gaskets with silicone grease to make installation easier. I don't like that about these (and old ones). They're 100% plastic, even the locking pawls, and with all that heat and chemical erosion from the coolant, they're doomed to fail. Dorman stock parts are not as reliable as OEM parts. So if you intend to keep your QD set up forever, I'd recommend gritting your teeth and going to a dealer. I'll get rid of them eventually, the locking flange on the core of the heater is a good nipple end to attach the hose to, this takes some effort and I would recommend dipping the end of the hose in boiling water first to soften it so you don't overdo it apply force to the radiator. I will do that when I replace all my hoses next year. I replaced these QDs because they are too troublesome to go further and you can replace them with little or no loss of coolant.