How to Install Wire Rope Clips

Rope clips allow you to create a loop, called an "eye," in a piece of wire rope. Bend the end part of the rope, called the "dead end" around a protective metal wear guard, called a "thimble," and back along the main part of the rope, called the "standing part" or "live end." The number of wire clips you use and the distance between the wire clips is based on the diameter of the wire rope.

• 1

  Remove the nuts from the U-bolts. Slide the bases of the clips off the U-bolts.

• 2

  Bend the wire rope around the thimble, so the dead end lies back along the live end, or standing part, of the wire rope.

• 3

  Slip the U-bolt down over the dead end of the line. Slide the base up onto the U-bolt so the base is on the standing part of the line. Thread the nuts onto the U-bolt and tighten the nuts with an adjustable wrench.

• 4

  Apply as many rope clips as necessary. For wire rope with a diameter between 3/16-inch in diameter and ¾-inch, use three clips; wire rope with a diameter of 7/8 inch and 1 inch, use four clips; larger than 1 inch, but smaller than 1-3/8 inches, use five clips; between 1-3/8 inches and 2 inches, use 6 clips.

• 5

  The clips should be equally spaced. The distance between each clip equals six times the diameter of the rope.