Impact wrench and torque wrench recommendations

[pdbelew]

There seems to be a LOT of choices for cordless impact wrenches for sale.
Ranging from under $100 to over $200.

Does anyone have a recommendation for use on truck and trailer wheel lug nuts?
Just in case I have to change a flat myself, NOT for steady use.


Also looking for a recommendation for a torque wrench to keep on board for tightening lug nuts

[Chris Pastuzyn]

Some may disagree but check out harbor freight, They have some new stuff that won't break the bank.

[Bama Rambler]

If you have a brand of cordless tools that you already maintain batteries for, I suggest you buy the impact wrench of that brand. Most well known mfgs' make cordless impacts that go to about 300 ftlb torque, so they're good for most truck and trailer lug nuts. As for torque wrenches, a inexpensive model will do for the use you need. I personally use a set of torque sticks with my Ryobi impact to torque lug nuts.

[TitanMike]

When buying a Cordless Impact Wrench make sure it's a 1/2" drive and the torque is over 200 ft/lbs. You may not torque lug nuts to more than 100# or so but getting them off after a year or two (maybe even more) often needs more torque.

I'd also give some thought to how long you plan on owning/using it. Eventually you will need a new battery or two and if the company making the tool is no longer in business you may have to buy a whole new tool. This is why names like Craftsman, Makita, Milwaukee, Ryobi, etc may be a better choice than an unpronounceable name from a foreign country (or a rebranded "foreigner")

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

I personally use a set of torque sticks with my Ryobi impact to torque lug nuts.

Torque sticks are OK but it's best to make sure they are providing the torque they say they are. They work in conjunction with the clutch in the impact wrench, "releasing" torque when they twist to a given point.

Best to double check with a regular torque wrench and if they match, go for it. If not you may need to use a different size to get the desired results.

We had Dealers that used them initially but most went back to just regular torque wrenches.

[jd-ford-hd]

Originally Posted by pdbelew

There seems to be a LOT of choices for cordless impact wrenches for sale.
Ranging..................

Quality, torque and reliability.....Milwaukee M18.! eBay deals are out there.!

[Gumpster808]

I have all Ryobi 18 volt tools that I carry.

Have their 1/2 inch impact wrench just in case.

Wife had a flat on her Challenger a couple years back and it rook the lug nuts right off.

I’m sure most will work the same but since I have Ryobi that is what I carry to make all the batteries interchangeable.

Love their battery nailer, air compressor, caulking gun, etc.

[Brewhedd]

Bought Lowe's brand 1/2" impact for $200, works well. Bought my torque wrench at Northern Tool. Checked it on a calibration machine at work and it was within 2 lb/ft of the setting.

[Wildcat Buckeye]

Harbor freight.As little as it is used and still pretty good quality.

[robertrfletcher]

This is what I bought for my travel trailer and truck and have NOT regretted it one bit:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

It is a "high torque" and I also purchased this with it so I can get the exact torque on the lug nuts that is required:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...EXO9VTZF&psc=1

Hope this helps

[Cruiser]

After 40 years as a auto tech with GM dealer I have used most brands at on time or another Ryobi, Makita, Blue Point (Snap On) DeWalt, and Milwaukee and at least for me the Milwaukee was hands down the best. the others work fine but all failed in the harsh dealer world but not the Milwaukee. I'm not indorsing Milwaukee just saying what worked for me.

[aircommuter]

I would choose the Milwaukee because of what was mentioned and because I think their battery system will give the most usability for other products including weed sprayers, mini chainsaws and a lot more.
Torque wrench I would choose Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac, Proto, and Matco.

[ard58]

As per Titan Mike=Torque sticks are OK but it's best to make sure they are providing the torque they say they are. They work in conjunction with the clutch in the impact wrench, "releasing" torque when they twist to a given point.

The impact uses a hammering action and that is why your tire dealers that use the torque stick goes back and double checks with torque wrench

[mbbutler]

Tekton torque wrench. you can thank me later.

[ard58]

Originally Posted by mbbutler

Tekton torque wrench. you can thank me later.

WOW! Wish these were around 40 years ago when I was paying BIG $ to snap on for torque wrenches.

[Paul Dershem]

I bought a torque wrench from Harbor Freight, and it has been fine for lug nuts and such.

My cordless drills and impact drivers are all DeWalt, and they've been fine, too. But, if were to start over again, all of my cordless tools would be Milwaukee.

FWIW, one of my pet peeves is folks who use a noisy impact driver for stabilizers in campgrounds.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by ard58

As per Titan Mike=Torque sticks are OK but it's best to make sure they are providing the torque they say they are. They work in conjunction with the clutch in the impact wrench, "releasing" torque when they twist to a given point.

The impact uses a hammering action and that is why your tire dealers that use the torque stick goes back and double checks with torque wrench

What he said is the dealers went back to the torque wrench.
Verification requires marking the rotated location after using the stick then loosening and torquing with a torque wrench and verifying the same location.
Kinda of a pain.

[Hclarkx]

Originally Posted by Wildcat Buckeye

Harbor freight.As little as it is used and still pretty good quality.

X2 ....... I paid $10 at HF for my half inch torque wrench. It's within 5%.

Given that tire repair places often don't use a torque wrench unless you ask ... and then only if you are watching ... and often severely over or under torque wheel lug nuts, clearly one does not need accuracy.

I have a fair number of Tekton tools ...... really good stuff so far.

[mlwilliams808]

I preferred the standard 1\2" drive torque wrench, the torque spec on the six lug wheels was 110 lbs. . I would torque in 3 steps, 50 lbs, 80lbs then 110 lbs. It is important to recheck the torque after 25 miles, I started to blow this off and stopped and rechecked and was shocked at how much they had loosened up. The torque specs can be found online using wheel diameter and lug pattern.

[mac1_131]

I am pretty happy with my setup from harbor freight.

Their lithium ion battery impact drive ain't bad. I bought it to get my stuck anode rods out of my home hot water heater and it banged them out of there in five seconds.

Their impact socket sets seem adequate too, and work great on trailer lug nuts.

And their torque wrench appears adequate too, all without breaking the bank.

I plan on using the impact drive for removing lug nuts and light tightening to be finished off with torque wrench.