upper radiator hose drooping

hi all,

my '02's upper radiator hose is drooping, enough that the nylon mesh netting wrapped around the hose for protection [around the battery] has worn a cut from rubbing on the battery tray (the hose isn't cut, just the outer protective weave).
the '00 does not have this problem, and they are both original hoses. anyone had this? is something imminent (time to replace the hose)?

tia,
parker

If in question.....I would replace it.

It may work better swapped end-for-end. If I remember correctly, that hose is almost identical on each end ... but not exactly.

one end says "RAD" on it. came from ford with the clamps too.

i finally got around to replacing it last night. since the hose is ~20" long with 3 90 degree bends, if you don't orientate the "RAD" end correctly, or twist it (torsion) creating lift for the middle length of the hose, then it will droop.

hth,
parker