have you ever used an impact driver?
if its just spinning down its very low torque.. until it starts "impacting" noise it has less torque than a modest drill.
also variable trigger.
Using a impact driver to install spark plugs
- Thread starter greg0649155
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if its just spinning down its very low torque.. until it starts "impacting" noise it has less torque than a modest drill.
also variable trigger.
You can clearly hear him modulate the trigger pressure. It doesn't need settings to control the torque potential.
I was picking on the folks who feel using that tool is scandalous.
I just now watched the video and I see no issue with the guy's work.Milwaukee impact drivers have multiple modes that control the speed of the impact. Speed 1 for example would be the slowest, and something you'd want to use on smaller / lighter fasteners to avoid over torquing. In addition, as previously mentioned, the trigger is variable speed, so the harder you pull it the faster it spins.
My brother had an incredible touch with any wrench. With the air tool, he snuck up on the torque by modulating the trigger. Certainly not wide open...
Greg's shop, in Santa Cruz, CA, was the go to spot for bathtub Porsches and early 911s; he regularly had 1 or more engine rebuilds going on. And his collection of 912 engine cases and parts was huge.
He told me VWs were not "the people's car"; rather they were "the people with no money's car". "But give me a nice juicy Porsche..."
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Easy to judge. We all do it about everything. All who are automotive technicians or who has done it for a living raise your hands… I have. 6 years on commission in a dealership. Hired as technician of a municipal fleet. Then promotions and ultimately retiring after 43 years as a fleet and asset administrator. Turning wrenches for a living is tiring. Working against warranty and preset service times and costs will force a technician into finding a quicker way even if it does save “30 seconds” as has been thrown out there. It’s also about saving energy. Being on your feet all day on concrete dealing with hot, dirty, and unpleasant conditions (water dripping from rain, muddy undercarriages, filthy interiors, and unreasonable customers) isn’t at all like changing your own oil or spark plugs in your personal and most likely well kept vehicle. I didn’t see anything wrong with the posted video. This tech knew how and when to back off the tool’s operation to ensure there wasn’t an issue.
Just no.
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I'm surprised by the amount of users that are against this. The spark plugs are started by hand (no cross threading) and torqued by hand. The impact driver is merely to thread the plugs faster - no ugga duggas here. I do this all the time and fail to see the issue?
I'm more offended by the leaves and putting parts on them
I'm more offended by the leaves and putting parts on them
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
I still use an old manual speed wrench for some things. Impact for removing some things, but never to install. Just no to lazy.
If I trust the threads, my electric impact is mild and has an adjustable trigger. I’ll send it down to where it first contacts for all the plugs in the row, and then tighten by hand. It means a lot to know the tool in your hands. If the threads were dirty or otherwise stubborn, I do it all by hand.
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I'd have no issue with someone just slowly running the spark plugs in with an impact driver after getting them started by hand, then finish tightening by hand. Not what I would do, but to each their own.
This is why I perform all my own maintenance.
That’s probably correct that this is what happens all day long, and I am on the DIY side, but working on old Porsches and BMWs has made me learn the hard way that a careful, gentle, measured touch on all fasteners will be best for you and the car in the immediate and long term. I have watched a few Porsche mechanics, independents, work and they all work using that philosophy. They all have learned how much pressure, torque is correct and how much is too much. You’ll seldom see power tools being used anywhere near the engine with these guys. If I were driving this disposable eco boost, I would still prefer that the plugs are run in by hand whether I do it myself or have someone else do it. I note that aluminum cylinder heads are soft, and give no tactile feedback on when the threads are about to strip. Also, note that a cracked ceramic leaking plug can be a diagnostic nightmare. Though plugs can last 150,000 miles, they are fragile. Do what your conscience requires guys.
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Looking back at it you are probably correct and that would have been the wise thing to do.
I do not ever use power tools removing or installing spark plugs, but I'm sure someone with a good bit of experience would be able to run down plugs using an impact driver without breaking anything, as long as they planned to do the final torque by hand.
I can only offer my own anecdote, but after watching a video of a well known tuner (to the Fiat community) attempt to strip the head of a Fiat 1.4l turbo and getting all the way to 75 lb ft before it went, I had a very worn out Toyota Corolla I was taking to the junkyard, and I was able to torque the plugs to 85 lb ft before they stripped. Its really not as easy as it sounds to strip out an aluminum head.
I can only offer my own anecdote, but after watching a video of a well known tuner (to the Fiat community) attempt to strip the head of a Fiat 1.4l turbo and getting all the way to 75 lb ft before it went, I had a very worn out Toyota Corolla I was taking to the junkyard, and I was able to torque the plugs to 85 lb ft before they stripped. Its really not as easy as it sounds to strip out an aluminum head.
I use power tools frequently - but only for labor saving - e.g. loosen a spark plug with a wench, switch over to the electric ratchet to spin it out. the electric ratchet is fast, but is also torque limited and provides feel. I know when it is struggling. My 3/8 (and to a much greater degree, the 1/2) impact has zero feel.
I completely agree that the feel of a wrench is important, and you can tell when a fastener isn’t going in right, or coming out right, and adjust. Your approach before something breaks.
For example - had a set of plugs that was very hard to remove. I did not use the electric, I used a ratchet, and reversed a couple of times on the way out, to prevent damage.
Then I chased the threads a couple of times - but that’s another story.
I don't really understand why people want a "dealership" experience? I can see why repair shop owners like people who like paying for a dealership experience, as they can make a lot more money that way, but I don't see how its any better for the customer?
I guess if you've got money to burn and equate spending lots of money with "investing" in their car? Get some warm fuzzies by spending some money, and some ego stroking by just telling the service advisor "yes" to anything they suggest? Have some "free" coffee, and never ever get to talk to the tech that worked on your car?
Its a car, you follow the maintenance schedule, and replace stuff that wears out/breaks. Its not complicated. Two guys can run a shop and fix cars pretty well, without the frills or BS. Personally I don't like commissioned service advisors who's job is to sell wallet flushes, or attempts to be guilted/scared into replacing pads and rotors with the over half the pads left...
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I agree with using power tools for labor saving, and in using impact wrenches when a nut or bolt is seized in place. I don't think there is any other reason to use them... but I do use then all the time on wheels, suspension, chassis and okay with using hypothetically on Engine mounts, and in many cases with disassembly. After that, I believe the risk goes up, and given that I almost always have an extra car to use, will use hand tools. And I still have stripped threads and broken pieces every so often! I am not sure about electric ratchets providing any feel. I use an admittedly poor Chinese model, which I would expect to provide feel, but not until the damage is already done. I also note that although it has a variable speed control, it has a real "on-off" tendency, and that the maximum torque changes as the battery runs down.
On this note, I would point out it's not just about saving time to rack up your hours for the week, it's about working smart to save your body over a career's worth wrenching.
I think that the dealership experience is more that the car is put back together clean, with all appropriate fasteners, and in workmanlike order. Also, you know almost always that you are getting OEM standard parts. That said, the downsides are price, inevitable sell-ups, and in some cases, not enough thought going into diagnostics when there is a problem. I do appreciate the coffee, soft drinks, donuts and fresh fruit and other stuff at the BMW dealer, but have not been in years. For those of us who have been around the block, those who are able to stay calm and methodical, there is nothing better than DIY, and next is the trusted independent mechanic, preferably brand-specific, who works with a modicum of professional pride.