scoober101

Im heat wrapping my headers and downpipe at the moment and using steel cable ties (i think they are ball-bearing ones) from Scoobyparts to keep the ends in place etc, but Im a little confused, the ties are a smooth design without the 'ladder teeth' like plastic cable ties. How do you tension / tighten steel ones? Do I need a special tool to do it?

Cheers, M.

Jamz_

iTrader: (12)

Just bend the end over, will stop it coming back through again

Splitpin

The tie tightens by itself - the ball bearing is pulled down the ramp by the band wanting to loosen, to the point where the friction between them locks them together. However what you'll find is that this allows the tie to loosen an eighth of an inch or so before locking up.

If that's causing you a problem, you can either just bend the end of the tie up before cutting it off (worth doing anyway, as insurance), or, better, while holding it tight, use a jeweller's screwdriver or the end of another tie wrap to poke the bearing down the ramp. This will stop it loosening off prior to reaching the "lock" point.

mark-f1

I folded the excess steel tie up on its self right too the end, then squashed it with some pliers it hasn't come lose yet. Screwfix do 50 of them for 15 quid I think loads cheaped than most car shops.

jimes

i have a proper tool that cuts the end off aswell but i dont think it was cheap!

172sport

iTrader: (6)

The tool usually costs 250 - 500 quid.

A pair of pliers and a screwdriver work well.

jimes

didnt know it cost that! works well though

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Trim the tail to about 1 inch then use long nose pliers to grip and curl the tail up.
It'll tighten the tie up and not leave a jagged edge to slice your hand.

Nect