Impact wrench and CF wheels

[DaveJP]

For you DIY people…Is it generally safe to use an impact wrench to remove lugs on the CF wheels?

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[galaxy]

I wouldn’t use an impact wrench on any lug on any wheel I own, on or off…but that’s just me.

 

[svttim]

I would be very careful putting lugs on. Off is no problem

 

[Epiphany]

For you DIY people…Is it generally safe to use an impact wrench to remove lugs on the CF wheels?

To be clear, it matters not whether the wheel is CF, aluminum, steel, etc, with respect to removing lug nuts. As for the wheel stud, it is in tension when torqued and as a result, stretched. So whether you remove the nut by hand or with an impact gun, you are simply allowing the stud to return to its static state, where no preload is applied. So in a "general" sense, it is safe.

That said, galaxy's opinion is one to live by in this regard. It wasn't asked but it should mentioned that there is an increase for the potential to cause damage if the fasteners are hot (as in open tracking and between sessions). While done in NASCAR for years, they also replace fasteners on a regular basis. For the typical Mustang owner, it is good practice to always allow the fasteners to be cool to the touch before removing and to do it by hand. And never torque while hot!

 

[DaveJP]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Sigma6]

Zap em off when their cooler (I’d possible). Doesn’t need to be hours but not right after parking from a drive.. As for putting back on, I alway hand start the lugs so there’s no cross threading. Them chug chug lug. Drop it down (off the jack) and confirm by torque wrench.

 

[svttim]

To be clear, it matters not whether the wheel is CF, aluminum, steel, etc, with respect to removing lug nuts. As for the wheel stud, it is in tension when torqued and as a result, stretched. So whether you remove the nut by hand or with an impact gun, you are simply allowing the stud to return to its static state, where no preload is applied. So in a "general" sense, it is safe.

That said, galaxy's opinion is one to live by in this regard. It wasn't asked but it should mentioned that there is an increase for the potential to cause damage if the fasteners are hot (as in open tracking and between sessions). While done in NASCAR for years, they also replace fasteners on a regular basis. For the typical Mustang owner, it is good practice to always allow the fasteners to be cool to the touch before removing and to do it by hand. And never torque while hot!

Good info as well. Also depends on the impact being used. If it cannot reach the torque value of the lug your safe.

 

[JAJ]

Another thought - a lot of owners complain that impact wrenches damage the thin stainless steel cover that's on the lug nuts, stretching it and making it harder and harder to get a socket on.

Break the nut loose with a flex handle and finish tightening with a torque wrench, and you won't have this problem.

 

[DaveJP]

Another thought - a lot of owners complain that impact wrenches damage the thin stainless steel cover that's on the lug nuts, stretching it and making it harder and harder to get a socket on.

That’s exactly my concern….Will stay with the manual method.

 

[Tomster]

For you DIY people…Is it generally safe to use an impact wrench to remove lugs on the CF wheels?

I Use a breaker bar to loosen them and then use a cordless impact wrench to loosen them as a time saving tool. I use care to not hit the cf wheel as the nut nears the end of the stud.

 

[matthewr87]

Another thought - a lot of owners complain that impact wrenches damage the thin stainless steel cover that's on the lug nuts, stretching it and making it harder and harder to get a socket on.

Break the nut loose with a flex handle and finish tightening with a torque wrench, and you won't have this problem.

I never had this issue with the stock nuts (because I always use a breaker bar and torque wrench) but I still couldn't resist buying those sweet, shiny and hefty Gorilla nuts to replace them, just in case.

 

[Epiphany]

I Use a breaker bar to loosen them and then use a cordless impact wrench to loosen them as a time saving tool.

I do the exact same thing. I also take a quick look at the threads and hit them with a small wire brush (by hand, using a brush made for cleaning welds) if I see any debris in the threads or noticed if a given nut seemed to have more friction while coming off.

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