Which impact wrench?

[JCFoster]

I've had a Dewalt rechargeable 1/2" impact for several years and it works great. I do a lot of driving for work and I carry it with me for flats. I have had to replace the battery packs once after about 3-4 years.

I wouldn't buy anything from Harbor Freight that has moving parts.

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[stoli]

Using standard sockets on an impact wrench is NOT a good idea. They are not designed to withstand the hammer action of the gun and will break. There are special impact sockets with nylon inner sleeves that prevent lug marring.

I've tried several different 'sleeved' sockets and none of them fit; they all had a wider exterior diameter that would rub the wheel. If you are merely torquing to 100lbs or so and finishing with a torque wrench I doubt you'll ever break a socket. I've had my wheels on and off probably 40 times in the past year, all with a big ass impact gun and I'm still using the same old 19mm Kobalt deep well socket.

 

[mustang_guy]

Ingersoll Rand IQv20 or my snap on unit

 

[Emt1581]

I appreciate all the replies. I did a ton of research and I'm actually going to go with a Ryobi P261. HD sells the kit online (only) for $119. It's out of stock but hopefully it'll be available soon.

Has 300ftlbs. and there's tons of reviews and youtube vids comparing it to other brands. Plus a bunch of vids showing it take care of rusty nuts/bolts and even axle nuts!!

I can't wait to get one!! I'm over doing it by hand. I don't mind torquing but screw all the other muscling and moving around!

Now I just gotta get a set of sockets. Do brands matter there or are they all pretty much the same so long as you go with the black ones?

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[mustang_guy]

300ftlbs isn't going to break a lot of things loose. Buddy made that mistake with a harbor freight one even though I warned him.

https://m.harborfreight.com/18-volt...h-60380.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

He couldn't break hardly any suspension bolts that had any rust on them. Wouldn't do axles either. It couldn't even torque them down enough. You should stick to 600 at a minimum.

 

[ahl395]

I would agree. If you want it to work later on down the line on parts that are stuck, I would look for higher than 300 ft/lbs. It sounds like alot, but once things start rusting and seizing it isnt.

IMO pretty much all sockets are the same.

 

[HappySquirrel]

Touche that would be a safer route. That being said I've never seen one actually break and I'm a mechanic lol.

Just as an aside, I have actually have broken a socket before, just not with an impact wrench. Over a decade ago my friend and I were trying to get a stuck shock free from an old Ford Ranger. We broke a craftsman socket (on a breaker bar) while trying to get one of the bolts free. It tore the sidewall all the way through. I've never seen anything like it since.

Regarding OP's question, I have a Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight) corded impact that I've been using for the past year for automotive work and so far it has held up well. I don't use it on lug nuts, though. I always do those by hand so that I'm less likely to tear up the lug nuts and wheels.

 

[Emt1581]

300ftlbs isn't going to break a lot of things loose. Buddy made that mistake with a harbor freight one even though I warned him.

https://m.harborfreight.com/18-volt...h-60380.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

He couldn't break hardly any suspension bolts that had any rust on them. Wouldn't do axles either. It couldn't even torque them down enough. You should stick to 600 at a minimum.

So 600 will take care of pretty much anything?

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[mustang_guy]

So 600 will take care of pretty much anything?

Thanks

-Emt1581

There will be times when more is required due to seized up bolts but you run the risk of snapping them. In those instances the bolt should be heated up to attempt to break it loose. I'd say 85% of the time 600 will be enough

 

[Synyster06Gates]

I have the Ryobi OP was asking about. It has absolutely no issue removing the lug nuts that were torqued to 150ft/lbs.

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