Battery powered impact wrenches for automotive

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Ryobi tools are hugely underrated. I see contractors using them more and more. Even though they are marketed as home-owner grade here in the US, they are considered pro grade in Australia and Europe.

The P236 as 150 ft.lb of torque and costs around $60. But the Ryobi P261, a true 1/2 inch impact driver, has 300 ft.lb of torque for a tad over $100 new.

https://www.ryobitools.com/power-tools/products/details/740

The older P260 1/2" impact wrench has 200 ft.lb of torque and can be had factory reconditioned for around $60 readily.
 
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3

Yeah... good luck with that. That's just a 1/4" impact driver/gun... typically used with driver bits (Phillips, hex, square, etc...) and used around the house to screw things. It could remove some smaller fasteners, but no way in [censored] is it removing lug nuts.

Just because lug nuts are torqued to 60-80ft-lbs, doesn't mean that's all you need to remove them. I would say you need at least 150+ to account for rust and friction (break-away torque).

We have a 1/2" Snap-On and even that takes a sec or two to break-free lug nuts... rated around 200 ft-lbs. Nothing beats the 1/2" air impact SO MG725 1200 ft-lbs.


Yes way... Brushless impact drivers CAN remove lug nuts, and my lug nuts are torqued to 100 ft/lbs. However, I already have 1/2 impact driver so I don't use them for the wheels.

This is what I got last year, nothing special. 130 ft/lb max torque and it removes the lug nuts easily!

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2653-22

The latest version has 150 ft/lbs max torque, which is even better. And I don't know why you're dragging air impact guns here, but we are talking about battery powered ones but anyways I wouldn't compare both because cordless tools are WAY more convenient, cheaper (no compressor) and functional. Any decent cordless impact wrench is more than enough for automotive.
 
Originally Posted By: dgunay
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3

Yeah... good luck with that. That's just a 1/4" impact driver/gun... typically used with driver bits (Phillips, hex, square, etc...) and used around the house to screw things. It could remove some smaller fasteners, but no way in [censored] is it removing lug nuts.

Just because lug nuts are torqued to 60-80ft-lbs, doesn't mean that's all you need to remove them. I would say you need at least 150+ to account for rust and friction (break-away torque).

We have a 1/2" Snap-On and even that takes a sec or two to break-free lug nuts... rated around 200 ft-lbs. Nothing beats the 1/2" air impact SO MG725 1200 ft-lbs.


Yes way... Brushless impact drivers CAN remove lug nuts, and my lug nuts are torqued to 100 ft/lbs. However, I already have 1/2 impact driver so I don't use them for the wheels.

This is what I got last year, nothing special. 130 ft/lb max torque and it removes the lug nuts easily!

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2653-22

The latest version has 150 ft/lbs max torque, which is even better. And I don't know why you're dragging air impact guns here, but we are talking about battery powered ones but anyways I wouldn't compare both because cordless tools are WAY more convenient, cheaper (no compressor) and functional. Any decent cordless impact wrench is more than enough for automotive.



Milwaukee M18 tools are definitely powerful, but a lot of those specs are like audio amplifiers and peak numbers (like the previous guy mentioned).

So 1/4" adapted to 1/2" for lugs? There's so much flex in those 1/4" drives that I'm highly doubtful. However I'll say I haven't used them all (experience is with Makita and Dewalt).

Personally (and I doubt I'm alone), I would NOT recommend using a 1/4" impact driver for such application in the long term... they might as well not even make 3/8" and 1/2" ones if you can get away with such a small impact.

Let's not bring up price... because my experience is that cordless is not cheap either. My intention was not to compare, just throw it out there. Plus, what decent DIYer, automotive enthusiast doesn't have an air compressor? I kid, I kid. A 3/8" impact driver, yes probably is more than enough for most... if not then grab a breaker bar. My years of working on vehicles says that 3/8" impacts often are lacking and 1/2" very rarely.
 
Back on topic...

If I could only have 1, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a 3/8" drive impact from Dewalt, Makita or Milwaukee (no specific order).

If you already own a "system" then stick with it... both Milwaukee M18 fuel and Makita LXT get high praises and I've used/owned both. I mostly have Makita 18V LXT cordless around the house (drill-driver-hammer, 1/4" impact, skill saw and recipro saw) and their awesome.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: ajchien
I have the old ryobi 18v 1/2", rated at only 200 ft lbs. I've never had an issue with it, seems to work quite well for me. I do hear some folks saying it won't even remove their lug nuts at 80 ft lbs.,not sure what's wrong with their impacts, mine does that easy.


There are different models.

Mine is 1/4" and rated for 125 ft/lb which easily removes my lugnuts.

I have the older model of P234G new one below

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-ONE-18-Volt-1-4-in-Cordless-Impact-Driver-Tool-Only-P236/100049838


Yeah... good luck with that. That's just a 1/4" impact driver/gun... typically used with driver bits (Phillips, hex, square, etc...) and used around the house to screw things. It could remove some smaller fasteners, but no way in [censored] is it removing lug nuts.

Just because lug nuts are torqued to 60-80ft-lbs, doesn't mean that's all you need to remove them. I would say you need at least 150+ to account for rust and friction (break-away torque).

We have a 1/2" Snap-On and even that takes a sec or two to break-free lug nuts... rated around 200 ft-lbs. Nothing beats the 1/2" air impact SO MG725 1200 ft-lbs.



I digress




I thought of getting an air powered impact wrench but I did not have $1000 spare for the compressor.


Digression? Is that your video? Read any of the comments? A 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THAT WAY! Can it work, maybe. Should you use it that way, NO.
 
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3


Digression? Is that your video? Read any of the comments? A 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THAT WAY! Can it work, maybe. Should you use it that way, NO.


I use it to zip the lugnuts off and on.

I loosen before with a breaker bar and final tighten with a torque wrench.

I've found it not strong enough on winter corroded fasteners.. I have a 1500 in-ft porter cable. Its great for drilling too much better profile than my full size drill.


Stewie you didnt look very hard.. tons of impact wrenches available in canada at good prices.

http://www.amazon.ca/Milwaukee-2663-20-1...s=impact+wrench

229$ + battery and charger.

bunch of dewalt's etc with battery under 300$

And you linked a 200ft-lb makita and called it 200in-lb that's a mistake however you spin it.

There is also 2 form factors.. the mini sized and full sized.

with different purposes... kind of like the whole M12 vs M18 tool lineups.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3


Digression? Is that your video? Read any of the comments? A 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THAT WAY! Can it work, maybe. Should you use it that way, NO.


I use it to zip the lugnuts off and on.

I loosen before with a breaker bar and final tighten with a torque wrench.


Big difference... might as well start with a 3/8" or 1/2" impact and not have to break them loose with a breaker bar. But hey, that's my opinion.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3

Milwaukee M18 tools are definitely powerful, but a lot of those specs are like audio amplifiers and peak numbers (like the previous guy mentioned).

So 1/4" adapted to 1/2" for lugs? There's so much flex in those 1/4" drives that I'm highly doubtful. However I'll say I haven't used them all (experience is with Makita and Dewalt).

Personally (and I doubt I'm alone), I would NOT recommend using a 1/4" impact driver for such application in the long term... they might as well not even make 3/8" and 1/2" ones if you can get away with such a small impact.


I have 1/4" hex to 1/2 socket adapter. Although it is capable of removing the lug nuts, I wouldn't recommend 1/4 impact driver as well, so I totally agree with you.

The impact driver comes with an extra spare battery, and I bought that one shown below as a bare tool.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2762-20

Let me tell you in advance, I know friction ring is way better for automotive, but I bought it very cheap, almost $100 cheaper than friction ring version, so I don't mind having 100 ft/lb less and the locking pin. I try not to line up the hole and the pin. It still holds the socket in place. 600 ft/lbs is more than enough for me, it is good for wheels, brakes and crank bolts.

I only use the impact driver to tighten lug nuts (lightly), leave it around 60-80 ft/lbs and use torque wrench afterwards. I hesitate using the impact wrench when tightening a bolt, because even the mode 1 has 350 ft/lbs max torque.
 
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3


Digression? Is that your video? Read any of the comments? A 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THAT WAY! Can it work, maybe. Should you use it that way, NO.


I use it to zip the lugnuts off and on.

I loosen before with a breaker bar and final tighten with a torque wrench.

I've found it not strong enough on winter corroded fasteners.. I have a 1500 in-ft porter cable. Its great for drilling too much better profile than my full size drill.


Stewie you didnt look very hard.. tons of impact wrenches available in canada at good prices.

http://www.amazon.ca/Milwaukee-2663-20-1...s=impact+wrench

229$ + battery and charger.

bunch of dewalt's etc with battery under 300$

And you linked a 200ft-lb makita and called it 200in-lb that's a mistake however you spin it.

There is also 2 form factors.. the mini sized and full sized.

with different purposes... kind of like the whole M12 vs M18 tool lineups.



Look close enough. It is a bare tool. No battery or charger.

I wanted the same as m18 fuel m1/2" drive but it seems there is nowhere to be found here.
 
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3


Digression? Is that your video? Read any of the comments? A 1/4" HEX IMPACT DRIVER WAS NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THAT WAY! Can it work, maybe. Should you use it that way, NO.


I use it to zip the lugnuts off and on.

I loosen before with a breaker bar and final tighten with a torque wrench.

I've found it not strong enough on winter corroded fasteners.. I have a 1500 in-ft porter cable. Its great for drilling too much better profile than my full size drill.


Stewie you didnt look very hard.. tons of impact wrenches available in canada at good prices.

http://www.amazon.ca/Milwaukee-2663-20-1...s=impact+wrench

229$ + battery and charger.

bunch of dewalt's etc with battery under 300$

And you linked a 200ft-lb makita and called it 200in-lb that's a mistake however you spin it.

There is also 2 form factors.. the mini sized and full sized.

with different purposes... kind of like the whole M12 vs M18 tool lineups.



Look close enough. It is a bare tool. No battery or charger.

I wanted the same as m18 fuel m1/2" drive but it seems there is nowhere to be found here.


*700 ft/lb
 
Well, for the sake of my own curiosity I "tested" my Makita 1/4" impact driver (non BL version). It's about two years old, including the batteries. I started with a fully charged battery for the test. I used a 1/4" to 1/2" adapter and 17 mm impact socket for the lug nuts on my M3 (torqued to 80 ft-lbs). Initially it was a no go.

Long story short its capable of tightening/loosening to ~55 ft-lbs (660 in-lbs), which I verified with my SO torque wrench. Makita lists the impact at 1,420 in-lbs…

So yeah, not quite. Still, I was impressed with what it did. I'm sure the 1/4" adapter acts like a torque stick and it definitly beat the 1/4" hex end with only a few uses (new, cheap HF adapter).

So there you go, my unscientific test.
 
I will be doing my own when this helluva winter ends.


What type of socket did you use? I read multiple people that were not able to do initially changed to deep impact sockets then it worked.
 
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3
No sure of brand… but deep impact, those with the protective plastic sleeve on the outside.


Most people who used 1/4" used similar to this type of deep impact socket

http://www.amazon.ca/TEKTON-47791-2-Inch-16-Inch-Impact/dp/B000NPT7N8/


That's a 1/2" drive impact... not sure what your getting act. Impact or chrome, deep or standard won't change the torque value. Impacts are just beefier to withstand the abuse. However I've been known to use chrome sometimes with 3/8" impact guns... sometimes you just gotta get a job done.
 
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3
Originally Posted By: Stewie
Originally Posted By: bmwpowere36m3
No sure of brand… but deep impact, those with the protective plastic sleeve on the outside.


Most people who used 1/4" used similar to this type of deep impact socket

http://www.amazon.ca/TEKTON-47791-2-Inch-16-Inch-Impact/dp/B000NPT7N8/


That's a 1/2" drive impact... not sure what your getting act. Impact or chrome, deep or standard won't change the torque value. Impacts are just beefier to withstand the abuse. However I've been known to use chrome sometimes with 3/8" impact guns... sometimes you just gotta get a job done.


Deep means more surface area which allows more torque.

Test it yourself best advice I can give.

I will try this myself when is time for a tire change.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Why are people using impact drivers for jobs that should be done by impact wrenches?


I don't have $300 spare for impact wrenches
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Why are people using impact drivers for jobs that should be done by impact wrenches?


A whole lot of confusion present here with impact drivers and impact wrenches.

Here is Wikipedia on Impact Drivers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_driver

Impact Wrenches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_wrench

The cordless impact drivers mentioned in this thread are impact wrenches in that they only apply rotational forces to the fastener.
The terms are commonly used interchangeably.

As per the Wikipedia definition, impact drivers also deliver an axial force and is a specialised tool, not commonly used. Motorcyclists are familiar with the manual impact driver (mentioned by Ducked in a previous post), a very necessary tool when working on Japanese bikes.
 
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