i replaced my radiator 2 weeks ago the connector snapped right into the new radiator without even needing any significant force, however if you had a pic of this line and the connecter at the rad me and others can help you much better. have you verified a ring exists inside your radiator entry point(s)?

My initial answer is if the quick connect line doesn't quick connect then it can't be good (given the radiator is good as is) it can be managed by using appropriate rubber line and cutting the bad portions of the line and finding proper pipe type to patch things up with but I highly encourage you to look for a replacement line either online or locally that's your best bet.

 

Transmission lines breaking/stripping off is a known issue with our cars. This is why many of us, myself included, went aftermarket on the transmission cooler. What I did was to cut the metal part off and spliced into the rubber part of the hose to the aftermarket. Of course using the supplied hose with the aftermarket to reach.

KOT