Probably have a chunk broken off the hose stuck to the nipple, and there is no way to get the hose back over it.

If it came off when you bumped it, it needs to be replaced anyway -- they both crack and leak, and get so hard they get glassy and will snap off!

New hose is much more flexible.

The trick to getting them on is to grab the hose with needle nosed pliers so that a little more hose stick out between the jaws than will fit over the nipple. Hose should be a close to parallel to the jaws as you can get it. Push straight down on the fitting, hose should just slide right over.

Inspect fitting first for the presence of old hose bits -- as I said, it's likely a ring of hose broke off and is still on there, making it impossible to get the hose seated properly.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!