Plastic cable bracket on battery mount?

[prwood]

When I took out the battery on my 2002 Legacy, there was a plastic bracket underneath the rear tie-down nut that was holding one of the battery cables. When I put the battery back in, for whatever reason I couldn't fit everything together with that bracket still attached, so I took it off. Is there any reason that cable needs to be held in place above the battery like that, or is it just for aesthetics?

 

I couldn't find an exact picture of it, but this one is kind of similar:

 

 

 

Note the plastic bracket in the back holding the cable up. 

[1 Lucky Texan]

I probably either; A. wouldn't worry about it at all. or, B. would wrap a few layers of tape around the cable at that point and zip-tie the cable (snug enough to limit movement, but not excessively tight) to the stud/bracket or something in that area to limit movement.

Edited September 14, 2015 by 1 Lucky Texan

[prwood]

I think if it's just for limiting movement and not for any electrical reason, I'll leave it as is.

[porcupine73]

It's probably just to limit potential abrasion against the insulation. On the ground it isn't the end of the world if the insulation wears through like it would be on the positive. A quick fix I've done is like he said some electrical tape for additional protection and maybe a piece of that split loom tubing and a small zip tie. Though granted that doesn't look super nice under the hood but with old rusty soobs appearance under the hood doesn't have to be a top priority.

[matt167]

Hondas and Subaru are common to use those clips. They don't do much more than keeping the cable from moving