The right tool for the job

[Monica_Stang]

Hey guys. So when I got my mustang I pretty much planned on doing most of the work myself. I love cars and have wanted to get better at the mechanical aspect that comes with modding. I ofcourse needed to buy some tools so that I could get these jobs done. One of my first purchases was an impact wrench, I did my research and got one that car and driver had rated highest, with the most power. Unfortunately upon receiving it this impact wrench won't even take my hand tightened lug nuts off my wheels.

Any recommendations for impacts guns that will make taking the high tourqed bolts off a breeze?

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[jasonstang]

Get a breaker bar.

 

[mumbles]

Get a breaker bar.

^^^^ This. I always hand loosen the bolts before using an impact wrench...

 

[tcman54]

Yeah, breaker bar and torque wrench for wheels.

 

[jasonstang]

^^^^ This. I always hand loosen the bolts before using an impact wrench...

Or better yet there is never a time you need to impact something off a car.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

yes use a breaker bar to break that initial torque off first. Dont need to loosen it a lot for the impact gun to take it off

I bought a Dewalt impact wrench with hex shank and an impact driver 1/2" drive. I could use the impact wrench for the tighter locations and bolts/nuts that dont require a lot of torque. I can also use the hex shank one for drilling, and it pretty much has replaced the dewalt drill I had

 

[NightmareMoon]

Impact wrenches are valuable and awesome tools. I hse a DeWalt corded model. Its not as strong as an air-powered impact wrench but its worked for most jobs (but not all) that I've needed it for.

To remove wheels: Breaker bar or large torque wrench to loosen the nuts /slightly/ while the wheels are on the ground (with the car in gear or parking brake on.

Then you can jack up the car and use the impact wrench to remove the nuts.

The impact wrench alone will do most nuts, but an unsecured wheel off the ground will just spin if you try to use a strong impact wrench to take a wheel nut off.

A torque wrench is preferred for tighteneing nuts after you've gotten them close with the impact wrench.

 

[SloSVO]

I don't know if your looking for a Pneumatic (air driven) impact or a electric one... I've used the IR 2235TI for many years and has served me well... As for an electric one at home, I have a Rigid 18V impact driver that works ok... If the lugs are too tight it has to hammer for a few seconds...

 

[scott_0]

though some believe impact wrenches aren't a necessity, there is no denying they speed up installs and repairs, my 1/2" Dewalt cordless impact made life easy for me doing my Koni and BMR spring install earlier this week

 

[Banjo]

I use this impact gun and it will break them free http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-in-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html
The regulator does have to be set to at least 90 psi though. I've never had a car that's had the lug nut torque spec at 150 ft lb. All my cars in the past including family members have been 80-90 ft lb which are obviously much easier to break free.
With this being said, if you haven't already gotten one I would strongly recommend a 1/2" torque wrench being your next purchase.
I used to be Craftsman all the way going back to the late 90s but have recently switched to Harbor Freight for a lot of things. I'm basically going to use my tools between 1x every other year to maybe 10x a year, nowhere near the daily level that would require higher end equipment like snap on/mac/etc.

 

[Ruby15GT]

I got a DeWalt 7.5 amp 1/2" impact gun, then sockets and extensions and swivels. It takes lug nuts off. I got the one that plugs into the wall socket, not the air compressor or cordless one. I love it. I also have a 17" breaker bar, but need a torque wrench.

 

[tyshenry]

Here is what you want. This has busted loose anything I have ever thrown at it.

http://www.themilwaukeestore.com/co...orque-impact-wrench-with-pin-detent-bare-tool

 

[Anthony@HTM]

The new Craftsman 1/2 19.2v Impact wrench is a beast, I rarely use my pneumatic one anymore.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

highly recommended to get torque wrenches. Will dramatically improve your confidence in knowing stuff was tightening correctly

for wheel lugs and big bolts 1/2" drive 25-250 ft lbs
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24340-...64629012&sr=8-4&keywords=tekton+torque+wrench

for the smaller stuff 3/8" drive 120-960 in lbs (10-80 ft lbs). Strangely the 10-80ftlb version is $10 more. Weird.
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24325-...64628937&sr=8-5&keywords=tekton+torque+wrench

 

[scott_0]

The new Craftsman 1/2 19.2v Impact wrench is a beast, I rarely use my pneumatic one anymore.

the C3? my wife bought me one for Christmas in 2014, battery took a shit last month, rather than buy another battery for $100, I put the money into a Dewalt 1/2 cordless impact, the C3 worked great, but for the battery to go bad in that short time is inexcusable

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