Impact Wrench

T

truvette

New member
I am looking for an impact wrench to do light-duty work on my car, specifically the removal of lug nuts when it comes to doing tire rotations. Does anyone have a recommendation for a unit that will be used at most two to four times a year?
 
I don't know much about impact wrenchs, but I just wanted to give you a little tip: Using a torque wrench to tighten lugnuts will prevent rotor warping, ensure even tightness, and make it easy to loosen the lugnuts next time.
 
I can't think what they are actually called, but you can buy a socket set that has a special handle with it that you hit with a mallet. It spins the spindle of the socket, while the handle stays put. And I know that this is not making a bit of sense, but yes, what you are looking for does exist - I had to use a friend's to remove some old brake rotors.
 
I got a Chicago Eletric from Harbor Freight. It is electric and works great for what you are looking to do with it. I have had mine for about 8 years or just under with no troubles.
 
Most tool manufacturers make Electric (some say Cordless) Impact Guns. I would check with Harbor Frieght for a deal.....it all depends on who's quailty you like warrenty etc that will determine the price. Harbor Frieght usually has no name cheap ones or you can go with something like Snap-On or Matco. Just be aware that they are not as powerful and you should definetly get more then one battery so you can charge one and use the other..... and mike has a good point, definetly tighten with a torque wrench to the proper specs, dont use an impact!
 
I have a torque wrench on hand. I'm buying an impact to correct the mistake of the technician the last time I had my tires rotated. In addition, I'd like an impact wrench in my arsenal just in case I have trouble getting them off again.
 
Since you don't have a compressor I'd recommend a plug-in electric. They provide way more torque than the cordless models and you never have to worry about charging batteries or replacing dead ones.





PC.
 
I also have a Chicago Eletric from Harbor Freight

and use it all the time



it is cheap and works well

and it is on sale like every other week!



I see you are in philly

I am in Levittown if you want to take a ride up 95

you could check out mine if you want



or stop by the Harbor Freight store near Franklin Mills Mall
 
I picked up one from Homier, or something like that..bascially like Harbor Freight..pretty darn cheap..I think they sell it on ebay as well. It's cheap and Chinese, but I only needed it once and it was cheaper than renting..never know when it could come in handy again
 
I have an electric 1/2" drive impact from Sears. It comes in handy when I just want to do something quickly, without gearing up for compressor usage, etc.



I have had it for 6 yrs, and it has tons of "mileage." It still work like new, and I do all of my own automotive work, save for things like A/C service, where it doesn't make sense to purchase the equipment.



I think they sell for something like $200, but worth the money, since you'll have it to give to your grandson.



One thing I learned several years ago, when I was in automotive technology classes was TOP QUALITY TOOLS, ALWAYS!



The reasons range from everything to durability to personal safety. IF a Chinese made impact fails while you are using it, the parts could take your eye out! I had to see pics od these types of accidents at the beginning of every semester, so that students know how to be safe.



ramble, ramble, ramble... just one thing to consider when buying tools...
 
Pep boys has a cordless impact wrench that comes with the sockets. Its made by mikita I believe not real sure. I think its $120 I have been wanting to get one just for the reason you said. But I dont know how good it will work. It says it packs 200lbs of presure.
 
beachy said:
..One thing I learned several years ago, when I was in automotive technology classes was TOP QUALITY TOOLS, ALWAYS!



The reasons range from everything to durability to personal safety....



ramble, ramble, ramble... just one thing to consider when buying tools...
Click to expand...



That's a subject well worth rambling about, or even ranting IMO. Changing your life for the worse because you saved a few bucks on a tool just doesn't get it for me.



I have an electric 1/2" drive impact from Sears.... you'll have it to give to your grandson
Click to expand...



On the Sears tool thing...I'll give you a weird other-side-of-the-coin story: My Sears 3/8" drive breaker bar fractured at the "U" under just hand pressure (no cheater pipe, wasn't stepping on it, etc.). The part that broke off hit the concrete floor so hard that it chipped it :eek: Kinda freaked me out as it could've flown the other way and injured me.



I saved the broken tool for show-and-tell duties rather than return it for a replacement (which I wouldn't trust anyhow).



I know it was a freak incident and I still buy Sears tools, but for stuff that's gonna get hard use I go with Facom (don't buy their ratchets, they fail all the time :rolleyes: ) and Snap-On (which have never let me down though older than I am). And I take the time to put on eye protection.



So a cheap impact? NO WAY! But then I don't even use an impact, just my ancient Snap-On 1/2" drive breaker bar, never found anything too tight for it yet (famous last words, huh?).
 
I would like to say 'thank you' to everyone who contributed to this post. I am going to head down to my nearest Harbor Freight store and shop around for a reasonably priced unit that fits my needs.



:2thumbs:
 
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