Best Impact driver / Cordless drill for tire swaps ?
#31
You don't need a torque stick with any of the 3/8" electric impact wrenches. Just run it down until the gun just starts to actually hammer. It shouldn't start hammering until the wheel bolt contacts the tire. I start all the bolts by hand, run them all in with the wrench, then go around one more time to make sure the wheel is actually seated on the hub before I set the car back down. Then switch to your torque wrench to do a final tighten after you've set the car down so the wheels won't spin while you're applying torque.
#32
Rennlist Member
You don't need a torque stick with any of the 3/8" electric impact wrenches. Just run it down until the gun just starts to actually hammer. It shouldn't start hammering until the wheel bolt contacts the tire. I start all the bolts by hand, run them all in with the wrench, then go around one more time to make sure the wheel is actually seated on the hub before I set the car back down. Then switch to your torque wrench to do a final tighten after you've set the car down so the wheels won't spin while you're applying torque.
#33
I use a hybrid technique. I break the bolts loose by hand when the car is on the ground. After it's up I use my little 12V Makita impact driver to remove bolts and tighten again. After it's down I go back over them by hand. Almost no chance of cross threading, tons faster than all hand tools, and the 12V is really easy to handle while managing the wheel. Full disclosure this is only on my VW since the 911 hibernates all winter.
#35
Rennlist Member
I have a slew of Dewalt 20V tools and my impact driver for auto work is the DCF 899B.
DEWALT DCF889B Bare Tool 20V Max Lithium Ion 1/2-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench with Detent Pin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NVSQSC..._kvDtyb64TT8T4
Spins lugs like they were bottle caps.
DEWALT DCF889B Bare Tool 20V Max Lithium Ion 1/2-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench with Detent Pin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NVSQSC..._kvDtyb64TT8T4
Spins lugs like they were bottle caps.
#37
Rennlist Member
Good thread, I have some Bosch cordless impact driver with 450 lbs power. Is that enough to loosen/tighten to a certain torque before using Torque wrench? Is that adapter all I need?
#38
Rennlist Member
#39
I have an air-impact wrench and a small compressor. Together cost less than an electric, has much more torque, and is a lot lighter and more comfortable to handle, especially compared to the rechargeable ones.
That said, for tires I always just used a breaker bar then my fingers. It's not like they're hard to reach or have that many threads, and I'm not doing it all day long on a time schedule.
That said, for tires I always just used a breaker bar then my fingers. It's not like they're hard to reach or have that many threads, and I'm not doing it all day long on a time schedule.
#40
Race Director
I have an air-impact wrench and a small compressor. Together cost less than an electric, has much more torque, and is a lot lighter and more comfortable to handle, especially compared to the rechargeable ones.
That said, for tires I always just used a breaker bar then my fingers. It's not like they're hard to reach or have that many threads, and I'm not doing it all day long on a time schedule.
That said, for tires I always just used a breaker bar then my fingers. It's not like they're hard to reach or have that many threads, and I'm not doing it all day long on a time schedule.
#41
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I like my Porter Cable impact because it can do double duty around the house and yard.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
#43
Rennlist Member
Doing the standard winter / summer tire swaps last week got me thinking. ISn't there an easier (lazier) way for me to do this ?
I've always uses a standard lug wrench, and then switched to a "plus sign" style lug wrench to both break the lug loose first and then make spinning off the lugs a bit easier, but in the absence of this ideal set up, my question is this:
Does anyone use a standard electric drill , or cordless impact drill / driver to do the above ? If so, what brand and model would you recommend ?
Thanks
I've always uses a standard lug wrench, and then switched to a "plus sign" style lug wrench to both break the lug loose first and then make spinning off the lugs a bit easier, but in the absence of this ideal set up, my question is this:
Does anyone use a standard electric drill , or cordless impact drill / driver to do the above ? If so, what brand and model would you recommend ?
Thanks
Been using this tool for > 5 years with good success.