Alphaman19

I have a nice high torque clutched drill. Can I use it in lieu of an air wrench to remove/tighten bolts my 98 GS400?

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Why not? I love my Milwaukee 1/4 gun with 100+ ft-lbs

Hardrvin

Yes / no. Because its not a instant blow, it does not have the ultimate torque the impact will have. so you may not me able to loosen some items.

But yes, you can speed up some of your work on lower torque items.

rogzballz

iTrader: (9)

When you say bolts, I imagine Lug Nuts.
You risk breaking your drill, you're better off using an Impact wrench like this -

porn-adkt

iTrader: (37)

This^^

You Imagine wrong. He said Bolts. There is tons of bolts on the car, not just the wheels

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

you should never use an impact gun on lug nuts.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Lol. Say that to all the mechanics.

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

trust me, i know they use them, but that doesn't mean they should. ever try to change a flat after a mechanic used an impact gun? NOT FUN....even find out that a mechanic cross threaded a lug nut with an impact gun? NOT FUN, EITHER!

Hardrvin

How do you think your car got assembled at the factory?

You can use impact all you want as long as you have a means of controlling the torque.

I snug my lugs w/ my impact, then go back and tighten with a torque wrench.

Now, don't do this w/ a keyed, splined, or fancy lugs.

W/ those I'll break them loose by hand, then run them in / out w/ a battery impact. However I don't let the battery impact actually "cycle." Just free run.

raytseng

if you guys want to get ocd, i'm surprised no one brought up the "tip" that you got to use impact sockets with your air tools, versus hand sockets. That's just as an important if not more important issue to fight over as what's been discussed so far

Most schools will agree it's acceptable practice to spin the lugs on with the air tools and then torque as hardrvin does.
People who get fussy over this are more likely the shade-tree mechanics who measure their oil levels to the milliliter as well.

rogzballz

iTrader: (9)

Very True, I do use an impact wrench to take off lug nuts but I always thread them on by hand. Then I do have the torque sticks for added measure for tightening and finally a torque wrench for final tightening.

Depending on vehicle and rim combo, usually wrapping some painters tape on my socket.
Cross-threaded lug nuts suck, but wheel falling off on the highway sucks more ...

Also, sorry for high-jacking thread and talking about lug nuts

So back to the topic, for all other bolts, I do use my Makita 18v impact driver for removing and tightening bolts (car audio work). But for bolts for the Seats, hood, trunk, etc I will use a regular socket set.

rogzballz

iTrader: (9)

Agreed, no-no on lug nut locks

rogzballz

iTrader: (9)

LOL - thought that was common sense, but appreciate the reminder.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

A drill delivers constant torque. Now unless you have a drill with A LOT of torque and a reaction bar, you're not going to get anywhere.


For most jobs, the Craftsman C3 19.2V impact wrench is sufficient. Will run you around $100 with 2 NiCad batteries, but it beats using a ratchet/breaker bar.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Yup that's how I do it. No way am I spinning on 20 lug nuts on by hand when my impact gun can do it much faster. Torque wrench in the end of course.

I love my cordless impact gun. Haven't found a bolt it can't break loose! Haven't reached for an air gun lately either..