98 V70 impact wrench or cheater Topic is solved

[98v70dad]

I have a Canadian Tire impact wrench (corded) and it has been a life-saver for axle nut. I have also broken several 1/2" drive breaker/cheater bars and 1/2" adapters when using a 3/4" bar. So now I have a 3/4" breaker bar and 36mm socket as a back up and use the impact wrench for the really tight stuff and lug bolts for winter-summer-winter tire changes (for 4 cars!).

Love that impact wrench!

Neil.

I'm not concerned at all about the axle nut. Its the 4 fasteners that hold on the wheel bearing that I'm concerned about. They have a fairly small diameter and they have torx heads on them. I'm replacing my wheel bearings.

I can either use the cheater or the impact wrench to get them loose and I would like to use the thing thats least likely to tear up or shear off the fasteners. The impact wrench is new to me and I don't really know its limitations and I don't have time to learn the hard way. Maybe its the best tool - don't know - thats why I asked.

[erikv11]

I can't vouch for this tool enough. Lug nuts, axle bolts... I even used it when I got Robert's upper torque mount press stuck (shhh, don't tell anyone that I used an impact on that thing...) it's worked like always worked like a charm.

[pic]

Along with some impact universal sockets and impact wobble sockets... I think this is all I need for now.

... Welcome to the slippery slope of better tools! Wait until you realize that thing is enormously huge and awkwardly heavy, that you can get more torque in something that is only 1/4 the size, and therefore fits much easier into tight spaces (e.g. control arm swaps) and is much, much lighter ... enter air tools ...

Sorry OP I know we are veering off topic but you did ask about tools! Back to your question: I think it all comes down to seating the socket on the torx head, that your only worry is rounding the head not shearing it off. Especially with this intermediate grade impact - its main advantage is the steady pounding without losing power, it does not have an enormous torque value (no, I didn't look it up). So because as far as seating the socket on the fastener you definitely get better control with the impact than a long breaker setup, that would be my choice. If you have a clear path to the bolt, I would definitely use the impact first.

[98v70dad]

I can't vouch for this tool enough. Lug nuts, axle bolts... I even used it when I got Robert's upper torque mount press stuck (shhh, don't tell anyone that I used an impact on that thing...) it's worked like always worked like a charm.

[pic]

Along with some impact universal sockets and impact wobble sockets... I think this is all I need for now.

... Welcome to the slippery slope of better tools! Wait until you realize that thing is enormously huge and awkwardly heavy, that you can get more torque in something that is only 1/4 the size, and therefore fits much easier into tight spaces (e.g. control arm swaps) and is much, much lighter ... enter air tools ...

Sorry OP I know we are veering off topic but you did ask about tools! Back to your question: I think it all comes down to seating the socket on the torx head, that your only worry is rounding the head not shearing it off. Especially with this intermediate grade impact - its main advantage is the steady pounding without losing power, it does not have an enormous torque value (no, I didn't look it up). So because as far as seating the socket on the fastener you definitely get better control with the impact than a long breaker setup, that would be my choice. If you have a clear path to the bolt, I would definitely use the impact first.

Thanks. That answers my question. You're right about it being awkward and huge, but for $39 its worth having. I'm not confident about it having a clear path but we'll see. Most things with a cord that I've bought at HF lasted only a few minutes. The impact wrench might be different. Was there yesterday looking at rollaway tool boxes. I definitely need one. I like the 44" but I really don't have space for it and getting it homw would be a hassle. The 26" one is pretty nice and it will fit in the V70 except there are a lot of shallow drawers .... gonna think about it!

[rspi]

Robert did you buy the large, corded one, 1/2 drive? I've not heard of people having trouble with them but there are bound to be lemons.

No, it was the 1/2" battery operated one. I was hoping I could use it on the move, like at the junkyard.

[rspi]

I would be afraid to use an impact on those bearing / hub bolts. One slip of the socket and you're done, off with the knuckle.

I have also read warnings against using impact tools on lugs. The pounding can crack a lug and you not see it, later causing the lug to fail/break. I never use impact on lug bolts/nuts.