solli5pack
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2023
- Posts
- 499
- Reaction score
- 769
Should I get the metal Doorman tees or go OEM? I'm leaning OEM. It's the 08 Yukon.
T's
- Thread starter solli5pack
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2011
- Posts
- 50,966
- Reaction score
- 19,474
I would go metal as the plastic will just wear out and break again.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Posts
- 10,521
- Reaction score
- 15,268
Dorman metal is the way to go. I wish that they were available when my hose blew out, but I had to use OEM Tees, and they work fine at this time.
But, if one of the Tees fails now, they are virtually inaccessible with my supercharger installation.
The Tees can be tricky to disconnect, but the best practice is to first push the hose/pipe into the connector, and while pushed in, rotate the connector and push in the 2 tabs as hard as you can, and then pull while still rotating. If that does not work, you need to cut them out carefully with side cutters or a small saw blade, being careful not to damage the metal tubing going to the front heater core.
When you change out the tees, be sure to wear gloves, as the firewall insulation is quite aggressive, and your hands will itch for days.
Also, while you are into the cooling system, check all of the hoses (radiator, heater, reservoir cluster), and if they are original (manufacture date is often stamped on them), change them, as they deteriorate over time with the heat inside the engine bay. Otherwise, you risk getting stranded somewhere.
And, yes, I had your exact same issue, and note that it was not the Tee that failed. It was the hose that failed.
But, if one of the Tees fails now, they are virtually inaccessible with my supercharger installation.
The Tees can be tricky to disconnect, but the best practice is to first push the hose/pipe into the connector, and while pushed in, rotate the connector and push in the 2 tabs as hard as you can, and then pull while still rotating. If that does not work, you need to cut them out carefully with side cutters or a small saw blade, being careful not to damage the metal tubing going to the front heater core.
When you change out the tees, be sure to wear gloves, as the firewall insulation is quite aggressive, and your hands will itch for days.
Also, while you are into the cooling system, check all of the hoses (radiator, heater, reservoir cluster), and if they are original (manufacture date is often stamped on them), change them, as they deteriorate over time with the heat inside the engine bay. Otherwise, you risk getting stranded somewhere.
And, yes, I had your exact same issue, and note that it was not the Tee that failed. It was the hose that failed.
I did the OEM Gm tees a few years ago.. They were in stock locally and
dorman hadn't come out with the metal ones yet. I could have done the Gruvin
brand metal ones... But I figured the OEM ones lasted 7 ish years and looked
good when removed, so just did them again (I only replaced as preventative, didn't
have any issues, but intake was off so was easier to do then)
You are good with either choice
dorman hadn't come out with the metal ones yet. I could have done the Gruvin
brand metal ones... But I figured the OEM ones lasted 7 ish years and looked
good when removed, so just did them again (I only replaced as preventative, didn't
have any issues, but intake was off so was easier to do then)
You are good with either choice
donjetman
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2018
- Posts
- 2,003
- Reaction score
- 3,686
I did the metal T's and various other hoses in 2019, still going strong 
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/heater-core-t-connectors-broke.116171/
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/heater-core-t-connectors-broke.116171/
OP
OP
solli5pack
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2023
- Posts
- 499
- Reaction score
- 769
The Gruven tees are $95? Each?I did the metal T's and various other hoses in 2019, still going strong
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/heater-core-t-connectors-broke.116171/
Dorman has metal ones on RockAuto for about $16 each if I remember correctly. Look under the HVAC category.
I just stayed with OEM on mine, replace the originals at 170,000 miles, we're still functioning properly. Preventative maintenance
I just stayed with OEM on mine, replace the originals at 170,000 miles, we're still functioning properly. Preventative maintenance
alvocado
Allen
It's hard to beat the price for the metal connectors and longevity.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2018
- Posts
- 10,521
- Reaction score
- 15,268
Just for curiosity, I love to know the metal alloy details and be able to measure the metal wall thickness of both Dorman and Gruven.
One of the few Dorman products actually like, is the metal Y fitting they make for the hose that goes to the reservoir from the heater hose. (To replace the OEM plastic) As far as that piece goes, the metal is definitely more than adequate. Haven't seen thier tee settings in my hand though....
mikez71
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2023
- Posts
- 3,337
- Reaction score
- 4,139
I'm happy with Dorman T's, no need for hose clamps.. Looks perfect to me for a metal replacement part.
BUT you still have the plastic hose end, which fails around the same time T's fail.
Gruven cannot compete with Dorman pricewise.. (small volume vs big volume)
But hopefully they will continue to produce many niche products.
BUT you still have the plastic hose end, which fails around the same time T's fail.
Gruven cannot compete with Dorman pricewise.. (small volume vs big volume)
But hopefully they will continue to produce many niche products.
They were the pioneers for it and are fully machined from stock steel. Dorman is cast and they have better manufacturing and distribution options.
donjetman
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2018
- Posts
- 2,003
- Reaction score
- 3,686
The Dorman Ts are a relatively new product.
Back in 2019 there was a big push here at TYE for the Gruven Ts.
If I was buying today I'd go w/Dorman.
Back in 2019 there was a big push here at TYE for the Gruven Ts.
If I was buying today I'd go w/Dorman.
OP
OP
solli5pack
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2023
- Posts
- 499
- Reaction score
- 769
Its definitely a high end product. If I was keeping the truck forever I might have thought about it. I'm going to go oem tee's and hoses and replace them in another 100,000 ifmI still have it.
donjetman
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2018
- Posts
- 2,003
- Reaction score
- 3,686
yeah, they were $75 ea when I bought them.
Either choice is fine. For me, I figure the factory ones last 150-200k so I just replace them with the same at 150k as maintenance. One thing I didn’t see mentioned here, and I have no experience with then metal ones is how difficult is it to remove the metal ones if they leak in the future? The plastic ones can easily be cut with tin snips to remove if you can’t get the clips to release. They all rely on o-rings to seal and we all know from our oil pickup tubes that o-rings can and will fail eventually when they get old dry and brittle like me.
