Cable Ties: Nylon versus Stainless Steel

[TIE-YOTA]

Toyota called today with news that they could not find any clamps to fit in the CV Boots they are replacing on my truck. Just to refresh, I lifted the truck and the traditional speakage of grease were coming out the end of the CV Boots on the differential end. I went to Home Depot, nada. I went to Lowe's, nada. Went to three auto parts stores, nada. So, fustrated as all get out, I heard someone say that they used Zip Ties to resolve the problem with the OEM clamp. Well, I started digging out and found a killer website:

www.buycableties.com

Starting looking at this website and discovered some pretty cool stuff. Obviously, the point of visit was to address the issue I had with the clamp. I found some 250 lb. cable ties both in stainless steel and nylon. I also found a tensioning tool rated for 175 lbs. I am still waiting to see if the tensioning tool can tighten up the stainless steel cable ties or not. My question is this: would you boys roll with nylon or stainless steel cable ties.

[TIE-YOTA]

15 hits and nobody has any feedback. Tough crowd.

[danolan]

Tie,
Went through the same senario. I tried the stainless tie but couldn't tighten them to my satisfaction. I finally went with some heavy duty black nylon ties and they've been holding up for about 6 months. I wouldn't hesitate to use nylon.

[TIE-YOTA]

Cool. Not to sound like a DORK, but you remember what tensile strength nylon straps you used? I have 120 lbs. and 175 lbs. The 175 lbs. looks like it would fit. Close. But fit.

[sprj8008]

I think you're headed in the wrong direction. You don't need max tension on the tie to keep the grease in. You do need consistant and maintainable tension.

Being a zip-tie guru of sorts, I would suggest a 50 is pound rated tie (should be about 1/4") that is of sufficient length to encircle the boot. If you use a lighter rated tie, that is stretched throughout it's length when you tighten it, when it relaxes due to strain, it will retain it's tension and pressure.

If you use a 200 pound rated tie, not only will you have pinch points and have to buy a tool, you'll likely not have a uniform pressure on the boot. That could cause leakage and potentially boot damage. Nobody likes a damaged boot.

Anyways, the lighter ties are easier to find (acklands-grainger for example) and cheap. If I'm totally on glue, which is unlikely due to my guru status, you're not out much time or money.

[DJ]

Try a hardware store. The Ace Hardware I use has lots of hose clamps.