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Do I need a 1/2" air or battery power Impact Gun for tire lug nuts?

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  • Do I need a 1/2" air or battery power Impact Gun for tire lug nuts?

    I was actually working on something else, but thought to myself that a good 1/2" drive impact gun would be handy around the hay equipment and especially to save my back changing tires.

    After searching through numerous threads the information I am lacking is brand and model impact guns folks are using. Common element is 1/2" drive and proper impact sockets. What I am not seeing is the torque needed (size of unit). I have a 2.5 gallon air tank at 145psi with a good 12v Viair compressor available if that makes an air unit possible. I also have 18V Makita batterys and charger available too. So whats better air or battery powered? What brand and models are folks using?

    Any information would be great as I know next to nothing about these except they are loud.

    Thanks
    Keith

    BTW I do have a torque wrench for final tightening.
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

  • #2
    Yoda based on what research I did, I bought this Dewalt.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...99M1/206387892

    I wanted battery operated as I don't want to be digging for my compressor and hooking it up if I have a flat.

    I have not used it yet though. 😕 When I did my bearings in the spring, I did it the old fashioned way with a breaker bar to take them off and of course torque wrench for final tighten going back on.

    Terry
    Terry and Patty (Dogs-Sophie and Tessa)
    2020 Reflection 297RSTS - bought Oct 2019
    2021 F350 crew cab, SRW, 6.7L diesel, 14K equal-i-zer hitch

    Comment


    • #3
      The M18 FUEL™ 1/2" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring 2866-21 with Protective Boot,is what I'm using, that's for Ram's lug nuts, pin box nuts..
      There's a M18 1/2" Gen2 2962-20 version out now also:
      New M18 Gen 2 Mid-Torque vs Gen1: Measuring Power Difference
      Milwaukee Gen 2 M18 FUEL Mid Torque Impact Review

      I use Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, and Bosch cordless tools, mostly Milwaukee(added cordless grinder this week)..

      M18Jobsite Fan is handy too for working in the rig's basement
      Last edited by gbkims; 09-18-2021, 08:26 AM.
      Gene and Kim
      2015 Grand Design Reflection 317RST
      2017 RAM 3500 CC, LB, 4x2, 6.7L CTD

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by gbkims View Post
        The M18 FUEL™ 1/2" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench with Friction Ring 2866-21 with Protective Boot,is what I'm using, that's for Ram's lug nuts, pin box nuts..
        There's a M18 1/2" Gen2 2962-20 version out now also - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-tSi-Gq5Qk

        I use Milwaukee, Dewalt, Makita, and Bosch cordless tools, mostly Milwaukee(this week added cordless grinder to the collection)..

        M18Jobsite Fan is handy too for working in the rig's basement
        I hear good things about the Milwaukee but I use all DeWalt 20v at home so that's what I have in the rig. I've got a 200 psi viar in the truck but still opt to carry my electric impact. As said above easier to grab and not need to get out the air hose. The DeWalt has three torque settings plenty to get off the truck bolts let alone the Reflections.

        Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

        Neil Citro
        2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
        2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by ncitro View Post

          I hear good things about the Milwaukee but I use all DeWalt 20v at home so that's what I have in the rig. I've got a 200 psi viar in the truck but still opt to carry my electric impact. As said above easier to grab and not need to get out the air hose. The DeWalt has three torque settings plenty to get off the truck bolts let alone the Reflections.
          I wanted to stay with only one battery system, but some of 20V Dewalt (Bandsaw, Pad Sander, Hedge Trimmer) fit what I needed.
          Gene and Kim
          2015 Grand Design Reflection 317RST
          2017 RAM 3500 CC, LB, 4x2, 6.7L CTD

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by gbkims View Post

            I wanted to stay with only one battery system, but some of 20V Dewalt (Bandsaw, Pad Sander, Hedge Trimmer) fit what I needed.
            Yeah after watching them do my axle upgrade at the rally the grease gun is on my list lol.

            In the RV I carry a small impact driver and drill, a blower and vacuum, and the 1/2 impact comes on trips but lives in my garage

            Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

            Neil Citro
            2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
            2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks Folks - appreciate all the help.

              This is going to sound like a dumb question, but what does a torque stick do and how does it work? Discount tire uses them every time they use an impact wrench here and on some of the videos it is recommended for doing wheel lug nuts.

              Right now it is a tossup between the Makita XWT08Z or the Milwaukee 2767-22 (both similar sets with two batterys and charger), The later is cheaper. Ill be waiting for black Friday anyway.

              Thanks again
              Keith
              2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

              Comment


              • #8
                Yoda
                Hi Keith,

                On the expectation that I will seldom have to change a tire on the side of the road, I carry a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts and a torque wrench to reinstall them. I do use my small 18V Makita impact (designed for driving deck screws but with an adapter for 1/2" socket drive) to run the loose nuts out and back in. I use this same process at home, so really no different. Using a breaker bar rather than an impact gun gives you a "feel" for how tight the lug nuts were and the condition of the nut and the lug thread.

                A "torque stick" is a carefully calibrated shaft that is supposed to not transmit more than its specified torque by twisting with the impact of the gun. But . . . to do this correctly, it should only be used once on each lug nut. How many times have you seen the installer hit each lug nut a second time . . . just to make sure? The second application will drive the nut past the specified torque on the first hit, even with a torque stick. They are a poor choice compared to properly using a torque wrench, but are much faster for a shop where time is important. (in my opinion)

                Rob
                Cate & Rob
                (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                2015 Reflection 303RLS
                2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                  Yoda
                  Hi Keith,

                  On the expectation that I will seldom have to change a tire on the side of the road, I carry a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts and a torque wrench to reinstall them. I do use my small 18V Makita impact (designed for driving deck screws but with an adapter for 1/2" socket drive) to run the loose nuts out and back in. I use this same process at home, so really no different. Using a breaker bar rather than an impact gun gives you a "feel" for how tight the lug nuts were and the condition of the nut and the lug thread.

                  A "torque stick" is a carefully calibrated shaft that is supposed to not transmit more than its specified torque by twisting with the impact of the gun. But . . . to do this correctly, it should only be used once on each lug nut. How many times have you seen the installer hit each lug nut a second time . . . just to make sure? The second application will drive the nut past the specified torque on the first hit, even with a torque stick. They are a poor choice compared to properly using a torque wrench, but are much faster for a shop where time is important. (in my opinion)

                  Rob
                  Dang it Rob - you had to go and get me thinking again (It hurts to thing). I have a good Makita 1/4" drive impact driver that I already carry, and probably have a 1/4 to 1/2 adapter somewhere. But I also have some good 1/4 sockets (Craftsman 6pt). For occasional use do they need to be impact rated? I don't have a breaker bar and I suppose using the torque wrench in reverse is not a good thing. What length is good 24"? Sure a lot less $$ and takes up a lot less room.

                  Thanks
                  Keith
                  2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I have a wrench that can easily generate 400lb-ft of torque, doesn’t need air or recharging, reaches all truck and trailer tires and fits easily under my back seat. I see no reason to over complicate such a simple task.
                    John & Kathy
                    2014 Reflection 303RLS
                    2014 F250 SC SB 6.2

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      As a former Snap-On dealer I have various 14.4 volt tools, 3/8 impact, 1/4 impact and 1/4 screw gun, 3/8 drill, a Sawzall and a 3/8 long neck ratchet. For lugs, 1/2 breaker bar to loosen, 3/8 impact to remove and reinstall, torque wrench for final torque (also Snap-On). The 3/8 ratchet gets used to lower and raise the stabilizers. Milwaukee compares real well with Snap-On and much cheaper. If you can buy Snap-on stuff used, you can get them rebuilt for around $150, a lot of times you'll just end up with a brand new item rather than rebuilt. All you need in a SO dealer or, you can call their service department and they'll even send you a UPS shipping label to get it to them for repair.
                      Grand Design Imagine 2450RL 2020 born 7/2019
                      TV - 2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7 4X4 Limited w/Towing PKG under 30K miles, hanger queen until now

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Yoda
                        Hi Keith,

                        I carry a 24" breaker bar with a similar length piece of thin wall pipe that fits over it (so, stores in the same space). By extending the piece of pipe, I can get 3 ft or more of leverage, if I need it. I have learned that the little Makita can generate nearly 100 lb-ft of torque, by noticing that nuts run in with the Makita are very close to the final torque setting with my torque wrench. I do carry impact sockets (they are often cheaper than the chromed ones) but used "gently" as we are discussing, I don't think it matters. Just make sure that you always use 6 point sockets. 12 point will make a mess of the usual OE stainless steel clad lug nuts. (Using a torque wrench backwards as a breaker bar is not a good plan )

                        Rob
                        Cate & Rob
                        (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                        2015 Reflection 303RLS
                        2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                        Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Last month a medium sized rock that had an edge similar to a war spear from a civilization long gone penetrated the middle of one of my GY endurance tires. Immediately my TPMS sent out alarms causing me to panic and at the same time find a suitable place to pull over. A desolate road, pouring rain and a Sunday morning with limited cell phone reception. I felt confident I had a way to remove the tire with my bottle jack and cradle deployed, I started to attempt to remove the tire with my 4 way. Try as I might I did not have the strength or the leverage to work the lugs off. About 3 hours later, Geico sent a tow truck and helped me get back on the road.

                          This recent incident got me started on the path of researching the purchase of a 1/2” impact wrench. Dewalt brand is the drill I use so I went to Lowe’s to take a look at this beast. It’s really so heavy to even pick up I started looking at other options. I went for the 24” breaker bar method as Rob described. Fits easily in the truck and always has a designated impact socket for truck or trailer and a torque wrench to re install. I actually removed the lugs off the wheel myself while at discount tire with this breaker bar when replacing the spare just to see if I could do this myself. I am not the strongest woman but I got those darn lugs off. I felt so powerful. The truck required a bit more persuasion but I loosened one with a bit of struggle. Did not continue to get the rest off. The experiment saved me a few hundred as I have no other need for a 1/2” impact. Just a thought. I bought the breaker bar left all stickers on it and decided to try it and if it did not work, return it.
                          Last edited by Beachcamper; 09-21-2021, 06:29 PM.
                          Vivian
                          2018 Reflection 303rls
                          Ford F-350 diesel long bed 4 x 4 SRW
                          Demco Recon

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I'd go with the brand you already have batteries for - Makita. They make good stuff.

                            I wouldn't bring it in the trailer with me camping though. I agree with Rob. Breaker bar. Weighs less, Never needs charging, always ready to go. Probably won't need it. We've been RV'ing over 25 years...one flat.
                            2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
                            Not to brag or anything about my finances, but my bank calls me about every day to tell me my balance is OUTSTANDING!

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                            • #15
                              Cate&Rob a torque wrench works backwards for lefthand threaded bolts and nuts. At least, mine does.
                              Ted
                              2021 Reflection 310RLS
                              2020 F350 PS,CC,LB,SRW

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