Was there a steel pipe with a mesh filter, in the lower outlet? My original bottles have this, not sure if yours may have been left out at some point, or in fact if it is simply not included with re-manufactured bottles. It certainly gives some reinforcement, but not sure it will solve all the problems, but It will certainly prevent crushing and subsequent weakening when tightening the hose clamps. I don't think it has a separate part number, and very difficult to find images online. The attached image just shows the end of the steel tube protruding, and there is a nylon mesh filter attached to the opposite end, sitting in the base of the bottle.
