How many cable ties are on your car?

[944psi]

Come on, own up - it can't just be me using cable ties to 'fix' my car? [8|]

My N/S sidelight bulb had blown and as usual the screws holding the lens on the driving lamps have rusted screws to oblivion / snapped off.

It was too cold to be messing about trying to fit the spare lamp casing that I have (that's only in marginally better condition - 2 maybe 3 working holes to attach the lens) so I opted for a good old cable tie, poked around the back of the lamp and out over the front.

So that has increased my cable tie usage by 100% The other one is holding my rear hatch down on the N/S where I managed to somehow knacker the threads that the hatch pin screw in to. I have a new hatch that's waiting to go on, so one day soon, I'll be back down to 1 cable tie / maybe none!

Now, where is my blu-tac!

Phil
'91 S2
Some cable ties, no blu-tac or gaffer tape (yet!)

 

[Black_JPN]

Mmm, trying to think... I've owned the new turbo, what 2 weeks now and already I've just a few cable ties! One to fix the adjuster which broke when I replaced the headlamp lens (actually I think I used 2), one to hold on the new remote central locking control unit I installed, one to fix the boost enhancer in place to make sure none of the rubber pipes get hot. Sure more will crop up with the more jobs I do! I must have stumbled across 10 or so most seem to be holding things in place under the dash. I do need blue tac to wedge the Alpine stereo surround in place properly which is the only major squeak/rattle I have when the car is moving - suppose I should be grateful for that really!!

 

[Guest]

I genuinly dont think I have any.....yet.

 

[John Sims]

I use them to keep wires tidy (so I guess that doesn't count)

I have two to fix my oil catch tank to my strut brace but that is by design not a lashed up fixing.

Zip ties are a brilliant design and can be used very effectively as a permanent fix in certain situations - not sure holding lamp lenses is one of then though []

 

[morris944s2john]

There should be one cable tie on each corner of every 944, certainly S2`s and Turbo`s. To hold the brake pad sensor wire to the brake pad retaining clip, thus ensuring the wire is not broken by fouling either disc or the inside of the wheel.

Thats not a bodge BTW, its good practise!

 

[John Sims]

I thought Porsche had a special clip to do that .'. bodge []

 

[morris944s2john]

Probably, but thats how my car was before I serviced the brakes for the 1st time- so thats how its staying. And how much is the clip? Cable tie is perfectly good for this job.

BTW, cheapest way to buy cable ties I've found, get an assorted pack of all sizes from Toolstation or Screwfix. Probably costs the same. http://www.screwfix.com/prods/13826/Electrical/Cable-Accessories/Cable-Ties/Cable-Tie-Pack;jsessionid=BFDV3VWNTMKBYCSTHZOSFFI

Not all the official Porsche items are the best to do the job- I would never fit their mild steel bolts holding the stainless calliper plates into the ali calliper block- better to use stainless button screws in this case (12mm long, M6 thread, 4mm hex). Two metals in contact better than three, and the stainless bolts will actually undo again.

 

[Black_JPN]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

Zip ties are a brilliant design and can be used very effectively as a permanent fix in certain situations - not sure holding lamp lenses is one of then though []

Me neither! It is only a temporary solution, its not actually holding the lamp lens in. Its tightening one of the plastic secures which had cracked, believe me since I replaced the lens everything is 10x more secure than it was previously. Its just great uncovering previously bodged jobs.

 

[tref]

Ummm... back of the front undertray on the S2... it was blowing in the wind before I had it...

Suspect the CV joint boots are too...

Regards

Tref.

 

[zcacogp]

Hundreds! Hundreds and hundreds!

I use small cable ties extensively to tie up cables. As has been mentioned. Whenever I do any wiring under the dash I will ALWAYS cable tie the resultant loom together with ties every 3-4 inches. It looks much neater and more professional than any other solution I have come across.

Also for the brake sensor wires, as mentioned.

Also for the CV joint boots, where they sit on the driveshafts.

Very useful bits of kit.

ORIGINAL: morris944s2john
I would never fit their mild steel bolts holding the stainless calliper plates into the ali calliper block- better to use stainless button screws in this case (12mm long, M6 thread, 4mm hex). Two metals in contact better than three, and the stainless bolts will actually undo again.

Snap. Although you can use normal M6 SS bolts, with nice big hex heads (normal bolt heads.) They don't foul the brake pads (although the clearance is a bit tight.) Very much easier to get out when it's had a few years' worth of salt on them ...


Oli.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Hundreds! Hundreds and hundreds!

I use small cable ties extensively to tie up cables. As has been mentioned. Whenever I do any wiring under the dash I will ALWAYS cable tie the resultant loom together with ties every 3-4 inches. It looks much neater and more professional than any other solution I have come across. .....

It is a right pain to re loom though.

I did the same with our band speaker/monitor/mic cables. Really quick to lay out and put away but if you don't trim the ends off nice and tight to the clip it is like juggling barbed wire (literally).

I bought a couple of rolls of non adhesive PVC tape for wrapping my car looms. By far the best, neatest and most professional way of doing the job. It is lighter than zip ties as well.

 

[zcacogp]

John,

Quite agree about the barbed wire comment - trimming neatly is the key. However, I'd suggest that I handle my car loom less often than you would handle a band mice cable.

Tape is a good answer, but it makes tracing a single wire within the loom much harder as you can't see it. And lighter? Well mine is only a 'not-very-fast' (copyright Fen Coull) S2, so I have no performance to lose!


Oli.

 

[944psi]

And I thought I was alone.......although to be fair

ORIGINAL: zcacogp
Also for the CV joint boots, where they sit on the driveshafts

I didn't like the idea of using them here, so I got the 'proper' metal clips from GKN that you tighten up (with a pair of carpenters pliers) - not that cable ties would be considered improper!

ORIGINAL: zcacogp
Also for the brake sensor wires, as mentioned.

[8|] I deleted by brake sensors so I don't have these either .....

So I am 8 ties down[]

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: 944psi


[8|] I deleted by brake sensors so I don't have these either .....

So I am 8 ties down[]

Ditto so we have both added more lightness. []