Finally got around to doing the ball joints on the TS wagon, at 240,000 km. Did the discs too, got them skimmed. Quite a cheap job. One of the inner drive shaft boots fell apart while I was taking the lower control arm off, so I replaced all 4. The cheap kits - $12 each - had steel straps, the small ones went on ok, but the inners were a problem. The outer ones were too short and the inner ones just would not tighten enough.

Anyway, I now have Narva cable ties 4.8 mm X 370 mm on all four big ends of the boots, and they seem to be holding up ok in normal use. Very easy to put on, and tighten, just trim the ends off once tightened.

Anyone else tried these? Any problems using cable ties instead of the steel straps? (I will be keeping an eye on them!)

I think TuffTR tried cable ties, but he seems to be MIA (missing in action) at the moment. lol

I've always used cable ties unless the steel straps were supplied, and sometimes ditched the straps for the same reasons as you. I use the cable ties that have the metal locking thingo in them as they can be tightened better. Also used a wire twisting device on rack boots on the Jag but if you overtighten they cut the boot.

I use the cable ties that have the metal locking thingo in them as they can be tightened better.

Haven't seen those, will keep an eye out in case any of the plastic ones fail. I don't have a problem using cable ties on steering racks, as they don't spin or need to keep grease in.

Ive used them in the past and never had a problem with them. Mine are cabletied on now

They're easy enough to replace if you have any dramas, just keep an eye on them. They sound more than chunky enough for the job.

Hi MadMax. I've used the 6.4mm cable ties for years without any failures. Narva are OK. The trick is the correct tension which requires a technique. I use 4.8mm on rack boots. Also a clean boot to CV joint goes a long way.

Hi MadMax. I've used the 6.4mm cable ties for years without any failures. Narva are OK. The trick is the correct tension which requires a technique. I use 4.8mm on rack boots. Also a clean boot to CV joint goes a long way.

Nice to know. Clean joints I can't vouch for. lol

Haven't seen those, will keep an eye out in case any of the plastic ones fail. I don't have a problem using cable ties on steering racks, as they don't spin or need to keep grease in.

They use then in the food industry - if they fall into the food being processed they are picked up by a magnetic resonance machine (or something like that) - normal cable ties are undetectable and who wants a cable tie in their baked beans. It's only the locking tang that is metal.

OK. I will keep an eye on them. Now that I know there are wider and stronger cable ties available, I have some options if these fail. Fingers crossed! lol