ajmarton

I want to get for Christmas a portable (battery) impact driver that is strong enough to remove / install lug nuts. Sears Craftsman has a nice 19.2 battery model that has 900 in/lbs of torque. The driver size is 1/4" so I know that I need an adapter. Any ideas on whether this will work and its usefulness in general? TIA Andrew Here is the link:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...00100600&aff=Y

rusnak

Are you using it at the track? I dont think I'd buy a 1/4" driver for any serious work. Can you set the torque to the proper level? You want to limit your torque to the manufacturer's specified setting. If you over torque the lugnuts you can warp the hub or rotor, but I'm sure you knew that.

If not for track, I'd stick with the ol ratchet torque wrench in 1/2" size. If I were to buy an all around impact wrench to save my wrists on tedious jobs, then I'd buy 3/8".

stormmaster

I would never use an impact driver on aluminum lugnuts if you have any concern for their cosmetics...lots of other issues for using one as well...it just doesnt take that long to use your fingers or a normal ratchet wrench.....but I guess I am old school.....I have an old 4 way wrench that I use

ajmarton

It does have a variable torque. I am not using it at the track just wanted to get the rear wheels off easily when I work under the 911 and I have a shoulder injury. But I can probably handle the rachet torque wrench to play it safe. Any suggestions the socket to use - one of those protective ones? What do you guys tighten it down to? 80 ft pounds?

old man neri

900in-lbs = 75 ft-lbs. You have to torque your wheels to 96 ft-lbs. Thus it is useless for your application.

Ed Hughes

Two observations:

1. 1/4" drive. 'Nuff said
2. Note that they are rating in Inch-Lbs, that's because that only works out to 75 ft-lbs, and I'll bet that's a stretch.

Most of the protective socket liners crack in fairly short order, that I've seen. Lastly, you should be torquing to 96 ft-lbs.

RoninLB

I use cheap Harbor Freight 1/2" torque wrench stored in car.

Also the "soft socket" gets damaged unless you also use new new nuts.

theiceman

1/4 inch drive ? I thought that was a misprint ...

old man neri

Hey, he could use it to take those pesky valve cover nuts off.

I actually used an air rachet on those the other day for the first time, man does that make life simpler

Peter Zimmermann

Alloy nut torque = 94 lb/ft.

SnapOn sells a half-inch drive, 19mm socket with broached corners that don't touch the corner edges of the lug nut. I sympathize with anyone who has a bum shoulder, but you'll be better off buying an air compressor and a "real" impact wrench for your at home jobs.

rusnak

aj,

I noticed you said you have a shoulder injury. My mechanic friend uses a slow (not impact) air wrench in his shop. It is gentle enough to use on aluminum, and strong enough to give you some relief if you have arthritis or have a lot of fasteners to work on. I don't know who makes it, but he has a lot of MAC tools and some Snap On. He's a professional mechanic, so that thing is well used and I'm sure has received by now thousands of hours of torquing. It's a 3/8" drive. When you pull on the trigger, it turns very slowly, not the "whirrrp whirrrp" that you get from an impact driver.

TroyN

I have a Craftsman 18V, 1/2" impact and it makes quick work of removing lug nuts. Yes it's not much more work to do with a lug wrench but if you work on your car a lot or change wheels for the track it's so much nicer to just zip zip zip those lugs off.