clamp and secure a line out of harm's way. Make sure that the bracket will hold the line away from the danger and-not in
the path of future trouble. Next, make sure that the bracket won't chafe the line (wrap metal brackets with a plastic sleeve
or double overlay wraps of plastic tape). Prevent all relative motion between the bracket and the line being protected.
Brackets can chew into these lines to the same degree as the original object. Don't fasten brackets onto components that
(1) Watch attaching brackets under the heads of torqued cap screws that could cause gaskets to leak.
(2) Watch bracket attachment to a "blind component" that is easily removed, but could cause the whole chassis
wiring harness to be broken because the protecting bracket could not be seen until after removal.
(3) Don't drill bracket mounting holes in any of the vehicle structural members, especially truck frame rails.
These highly stressed components must remain free of holes that concentrate the stress forces of sever operation.
c. Rerouting lines: Rerouting of lines is sometimes necessary to solve a problem installation. On all vehicles, the
safest place for routing of lines is on the upper, inner side of channel and framing members, away from moving and
articulating components and out of the mud, debris, and road splash areas. The prime candidate lines in need of
rerouting are the chassis-to-body interface lines, added after the chassis was completed. Other candidates include lines
relocated in error during maintenance and lines subject to damage as a result of the abnormal vehicle usage that was not
intended by the vehicle manufacturer. Rerouting of lines is tricky and requires a trained eye to evaluate all possibilities.
Before any relocation attempt, obtain a length of scrap line and make a trial installation temporarily securing the line in the
new location. Review the installation for other hidden hazards and ask other personnel to review the rerouted line path for
you. Then when you are sure the path is the best, change the line to the new location. If longer or shorter lines are
required, remember to measure the length needed twice and cut the new length once!
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