Hi I am putting my magna tr back together again and need to install the drive shafts.
Mine has the aluminium bands that go around the rubber boots but in all the kits I have seen for other models they appear to be secured with those plastic ties one uses for keeping wires together etc.

Would it be ok to use those instead of the aluminium bands as it looks an easier way of doing it?

I've done it before and haven't had an issue, although those bands I'm sure you can re-use, if not, get some from a driveshaft place?

zip ties hold ok and do the job

if you break one you get them in a packet at supercheap

the metal ones can be reused but fiddly and messy

the metal ones you can buy
a special type of tool for doing them up

The original steel bands are re-usable at least twice, as I've done that. The plastic ones - never seen them - should work too provided they are robust enough and done up tight enough to stop grease leaks, but I'm guessing. If I used those I would check them often for grease leaks. You would also need to trim off excess strap, which means they could only be used once. I have seen another steel type that needs a crimping tool to get them at the right tension. I don't like those because of the extra cost of the right tool.

You can get stainless steel cable tie's. We have them at work, but they are fiddly and don't lock as good as the plastic ones.

You can get stainless steel cable tie's. We have them at work, but they are fiddly and don't lock as good as the plastic ones.

Some of the aftermarket kits come with those, fiddly to get them tight enough if you don't have the right tool, screwdriver and pliers work but not easily. Excess still needs to be trimmed off. They wrap around twice IIRC. Next time I need some I will look for the ones with plastic zip ties, much easier I would think.

Some of the aftermarket kits come with those, fiddly to get them tight enough if you don't have the right tool, screwdriver and pliers work but not easily. Excess still needs to be trimmed off. They wrap around twice IIRC. Next time I need some I will look for the ones with plastic zip ties, much easier I would think.

Yep that's the problem I think I am facing, getting them tight enough. One or two have been trimmed and I think I have buckleys of getting them back on properly.

Thanks for all the other comments too. Didn't think about checking for grease leaks if I use the plastic ties.

Not sure why you have removed the boots but if it is because they have cracked, you are far better off with new shafts and joints as once they start to wear they will degrade fairly fast

The plastic ones are simply zip ties, no different to ones you will find anywhere, the metal ones are far better, will hold better and can be done up using a pair of pointy nose pliers and a screw driver against where the tab bends over

Plastic zip ties are fine, and will pretty much always outlast the boot or joint.
Depending on how much grease has flung out/how long the boot has been split, determines how long the joint will go before death too. Inner CV's are much longer lasting, as they do very little work compared to outers'. The case of $20 for a boot, compared to ~$150 for a shaft, might be worth a gamble. And if you're really pedantic you can dismantle and clean the joint out very well and you may get away without much wear. If the joint is already clicking on turns though, bin it.

Thanks all there is nothing wrong with the boots themselves or the joints from what I can tell. I just had to take the drive shafts out to replace the clutch.