Not WW: Automotive impact wrench

[davidtu]

I need to take the wheels on and off my waverunner trailer (for security) so I would like to use an impact wrench. Based on the reference to removing wheels on its item page, I picked up this unit cheap from HF. It didn't come with the right socket so I have not been able to try it out. So now, before investing in an impact socket kit, I thought I'd do what I should have done to begin with: ask the forum.

So, I am using my Forum Lifeline for this one... will this unit work to remove wheels from the trailer? A car too? It has 250lbs @ 90psi.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=53176

Thanks,
David

[crokett]

Looks like it. I can tell you this will but it is slower.

[siliconbauhaus]

I must be slow....what about using a wheel brace ? Works for me changing a flat tyre ?

[LCHIEN]

From Discount tire's website

Trailers & Applications Not Listed
7/16" studs 80 ft-lbs
1/2" studs 100 ft-lbs
9/16" studs 140 ft-lbs
5/8" studs 175 ft-lbs
10mm studs 50 ft-lbs
12mm studs 100 ft-lbs
14mm studs 120 ft-lbs


That Impact wrench can go up to 250 ft-lbs.
Most wheel lugs (see above for trailers) seem to be in the 80-120 ft-lb range so your impact wrench should handle most any vehicle (except a Porsche Carrera which says has 407 ft-lb torque on its lug nuts!).

Funny that an air impact wrench goes for the same price as a 25" breaker bar. I'm sure the impact wrench will do a quick job on the wheels.

I'm not sure about torqueing them back on - does the air impact wrench have a torque setting to set the nuts? Or do you need a torque wrench?

[Pappy]

I have a similar impact wrench (different brand) and it will do the job. I never bought impact wrench sockets. I use my Craftsman 1/2" drive sockets.

I have ever used a torque wrench to put a wheel on. For that matter, don't think I have seen NTW, Discount Tire, Sears, or others use one.

[Perfidiajoe]

Your Impact gun should work. How much air do you have coming from your compressor, & What size air hose? You should use impact sockets, we all (most likely) have used standard sockets. If you do, make sure it's a good one, so it don't round off the lugs! Where safety glasses I've seen sockets crack. Use never sieze when replacing lugs. Good Luck, Joe

[cabinetman]

Some tire shops that don't use a torque wrench are running their air wrenches at 90 to 100 lbs PSI. Normally, a 250 ft lb capacity wrench would take it off. But, if the nut or stud is frozen, the initial breakaway torque may exceed the wrenches capacity. Most auto and trailer wheels are torqued between 70 - 90 lbs. For those "special" bling bling wheels, the mfg provides specs on the torque for the application like street or racing.

On a new wrench, follow the oil fill instructions carefully if there are any. Your compressor should have a higher capacity (CFM) than the wrench, or the wrench will start losing torque as the air runs down.

I too have used plain old sockets, with no problem. They aren't hardened like impact sockets. The worst that will happen is the socket will disintegrate and tiny bits of shrapnel will travel at 1000 ft per second in every direction. BUT that is rare, so don't even think about it.

[rcp612]

[quote=Pappy;246183]I never bought impact wrench sockets. I use my Craftsman 1/2" drive sockets.

I have to caution,, it's happened to me,,the standard sockets can shatter on an impact wrench. Apparently the regular impact sockets are made of a different alloy.

[LinuxRandal]

I would list the answer as Maybe. If your tires are/were put on and torqued to specs, barring rust/crossthreading, that gun should do the job. HOWEVER a lot of commercial shops, just use the impact guns to run the nuts down the lugs, due to the speed (time=$) equation. Then you should still use a torque wrench to correctly torque your nuts as a lot of the guns used commercially can go up to 400ftlbs in the forward direction.

Now, this CAN become a tool purchase, that could be used in both shops (wood/auto). If you break loose your nuts with a spider (4 way), you could then use an impact gun, (woodworking, you might already have), with an adapter that fits in the chuck and allows you to use a socket (preferable the cheap HF impact sockets, great value for the use you will get out of them).

The better quality impact sockets are made of Chrome Molybendum (spelling?), where the HF are an older design, thickwall, that can and does use the softer metal, Chrome Vanadium.
As for the impact guns, they do have various settings, but they really don't tell you what you have torqued your sockets too.

[Tom Slick]

what compressor do you have? an impact gun will require a decent sized air compressor and you'll never get full power our of the gun if you don't have enough air.

I've busted regular sockets with an impact. I now own a decent set of impact sockets from HF and they work well for occasional use.

[LCHIEN]

what compressor do you have? an impact gun will require a decent sized air compressor and you'll never get full power our of the gun if you don't have enough air.

I've busted regular sockets with an impact. I now own a decent set of impact sockets from HF and they work well for occasional use.

Won't the tank (at least a few gallons) carry you through the point where you break the nut loose, at least? You may have to wait for the compressor to fill up to tackle the next nut, but breaking the nuts loose is the biggest reason for the impact tool. You also need a 3/8" hose, a 1/4" hose (ID) may be too small for the instantaneous flow regardless of the tank size or compressor continuous flow.

I was thinking of getting one of those (15 or 10 dollar) HF impact wrenches to break wheel lugs loose if i ever need it. I have a 1-1/2 HP, 150psi, 6 gal pancake compressor.

[Thom2]

I have ever used a torque wrench to put a wheel on. For that matter, don't think I have seen NTW, Discount Tire, Sears, or others use one.

Pappy,

The newer 'hat type' rotors REQUIRE torquing the wheels. Not doing so will give you serious issues with rotor runout and warpage. The biggest reason you probably don't see the 'chains' using a torque wrench is because they're using these ....

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92890


These torque sticks have become standard equipment and a replacement for the torque wrench in any shop that does a lot of tire/wheel work.

Personally, if they're not using torque sticks or a torque wrench when my wheels go on, I would never take my car back there again. On the older stuff it wasn't nearly as critical, but the newer models absolutely require proper torque specs when you put the wheels back on.

[davidtu]

With all these replies I might get the impression that you guys are spending some time in the garage rather than the shop, for a change!

I have a PC 6 gal Pancake compressor. I guess I'll find out how well it does the job.

Regarding wheel brace? What's a wheel brace? Anyway the impact wrench provided and unexpected opportunity to acquire a new tool... so, you know how that went.

Somewhere I have an old Torque Wrench... looks like I will have to use it based on your comments and Discount Tire's website.

I am ordering the following Porter Cable sets from Amazon (also Chrome as they seem about the same price as HF and I don't want to wait another eternity for HF to ship something to me. At least Amazon is reliable and prompt. I'd return the wrench to HF if it wouldn't be such a hassle and exchange it for the one w/o the sockets for $5 less (as now they will be redundant).

Porter-Cable PTA10 12 Piece 1/2-Inch Metric Deep Impact Socket Set -
Porter-Cable PTA9 12 Piece 1/2-Inch S.A.E. Deep Impact Socket Set

Thanks to all!

[davidtu]

So after buying all this stuff to take off the trailer wheels (gun, sockets) it didn't have enough muscle. I assume its the gun, not the compressor, but open to your opinions on that (PC 6 gal 135psi pancake). I ended up doing it the old fashioned way, using the little bitty half of a tire iron my Subaru came with.

Its not worth returning the stuff because its a) HF and b) too heavy. I wonder if I torque them back on again later to correct tolerances will the gun be able to take them off next year or not. OR do I need a more powerful gun? Now that I have the sockets, I have to have a gun to drive them, right?!

A penny wiser, a dollar poorer.

[LCHIEN]

hey, I'd torque them on correctly and then see if the wrench will take them off.
If it does then the nuts originally had been torqued on by brute force (too tight), maybe someone with a big impact driver and not much sense.

If it does not take them off when you know they are torqued correctly then you know the gun too weak or pressure is too low. At least you can take the gun back this season.

After you take them off with the wrench then you should have to put them back on correctly with the torque wrench again.