Did not read all of this so I can't say for sure if anyone mentioned it, but y'all should wear good gloves when using impact tools, any hand tools really I suppose, but an impact wrench can be brutal. Padded ones, likes for weightlifting or cycling.

I have some I got from Harbor Freight for a sawbuck that are not bad, will come in handy for when I do the suspension bushings. Thinking I ought to go ahead and do new ball joints and tie rods at the same time. It has about 90 k on it, most of those in anger, some bordering on enraged, imagine wear items are getting worn out. Miata has the upper ball joint pressed into the control arm, so you have to replace the upper arm, which is less than $40 because, Miata.

Don't rule out garage sales and CL for buying used air impacts , there are a lot of dim bulbs selling stuff they have no clue the value :rolleyes: . There are bargains to be had .

On the YouTube page where that entertaining video of the Earthquake XT plays is a video showing how much loss there is when using extensions and adapters.
Sometimes up to 30%.

Breaker bar to loosen. Impact driver to remove and reinstall. Torque wrench to finish.

This Ryobi driver is very good value for a DIY user: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-with-1-1-3-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-P1870/205336113

This is my routine...

Reviving the thread because I'm finally ready to make a purchase and was going to keep it simple and buy this Ryobi cordless. I already have the batteries and charger for the other Ryobis. Seems like a no brainer to keep it in the family.

Very light use so should work OK.

$99 from Home Depot - and they have 3 in stock.

18-Volt ONE+ Cordless 3-Speed 1/2 in. Impact Wrench

https://images.homedepot-static.com/...61-64_1000.jpg

I've got both the HF Earthquake (air) and this battery powered M18 beast: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2767-20/302654201

Both work very well. Honestly, the above Milwaukee is overkill for lug nuts (though there is a smaller one) but I was thrilled to have it for multiple suspension rebuilds this year - - it zips 350lbft axle nuts off like butter. Truly amazing. BUT, it weighs 6lbs (maybe more with battery?), and is relatively huge (about 2x the length of the normal Earthquake). Still, it's my go-to impact for anything over 80lbfts. I hate dragging out the air hose and hearing the compressor run.

This Dewalt will do lug nuts. Up to 100ft lbs...
Cheap and light. If you want something more powerful then step up to the 1/2” impact. You won’t need anything else.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-ATOMIC-20-Volt-MAX-Brushless-Cordless-Compact-Impact-Driver-Tool-Only-DCF809B/308779696?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CVF%7CD25T%7CPORTAB LE+POWER%7CDEWALT-ATOMIC%7CPLA|71700000057307558|58700005313422642|9 2700047196676559&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo u_ApojY5AIVkYrICh1p0QfbEAQYASABEgLkzPD_BwE

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1568730596.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1568730709.jpg


https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-XR-Cordless-Brushless-High-Torque-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-w-Detent-Pin-Anvil-Battery-4-0Ah-Charger-Tool-Bag-DCF899M1/206387892

I'm with you Baz, I have the Ryobi blower, hedge trimmer, drain cleaner and a screw gun. It's nice being able to switch the batteries around and they've all held up great.

Not too modern for this dinosaur! I HATE wrestling with hoses and power cords. I got a Dewalt 1/2” 18 volt battery impact about five years ago. For decades I’d been using a CP air gun that was old when I got it in 1969. It’s more powerful than the DeWalt, but I haven’t used it once since I got the DeWalt. I like taking the impact gun to the job instead of hauling the job to the air supply. That 3/8 ratchet is on my list, looks like it ought to save a lot of wear and tear on arthritic hands.

That's exactly how I use my impact when working with lug nuts, sometimes I wish I didn't have to use a breaker bar.

Thanks, Craig - I agree. Going to pick one up tomorrow.

Have you seen the garage door opener with all the modules? Very cool.....

<iframe width="1237" height="696" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q95Jl5sRVL0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I just use my air impact wrench. It will remove up to 600 FT pounds.

I do indeed put on my hearing protection, as it is noisy. It zips off the rear axle nut on my 85 Carrera with ease.

I figure someday I will stumble across the right battery operated impact and get one. So far, simply no need for one with the air compressor right there.

define what you need to "break it loose"


I have 3/4 inch drive air. something like 1000-1200 ft pounds torque.


handy for those large grumpy bolts/nuts

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-heavy-duty-impact-wrench-66984.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Higher+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%285%29+Price+%2470-100|66984&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=s Hpq03rdA|pcrid|296311617789|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid|| product|66984|&pgrid=62422489667&ptaid=aud-446108146723:pla-301152903092&pcid=1458484684&intent=Higher+Sale&gc lid=Cj0KCQjwiILsBRCGARIsAHKQWLNB1-WDtIZGkMInMjlgbjAzEDCTANjLGN46371-xQCLElsX9E3gv98aAhIzEALw_wcB

Ryobi is a good ecosystem to get invested in..I have a bunch of Ryobi cordless tools.. and they are fine.... doesn't one factory churn out tools for a few manufacturers?


My Ryobi impact... pretty used and abused..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1568755726.jpg

My IR had enough torque to snap the motor mount on my 911 when the bolt wouldn't let go years ago....seriously :). Sometimes a 3' bar does work better...YMMV

I’ve never put them on with an impact driver, too worried about over tightening.

You just need a witness mark on the socket... could be the size stamped on the socket, or you could take a sharpie or paint and make a mark

Snug up all the lug nuts, alternating/following the pattern for the numberof lugs on your wheel...


Then hit them again and note the rotation.. say go a eighth of a turn on on the nut check with a torque wrench.... If loose, rotate a bit more and check again...

Now you'll know if after snug 1/2 turn gives me 95 ft/lb

Then using the impact.. after snug, watch for x rotation.. proper tension has been reached..

Bob - What Tim said above ^.

Plus.....at my tire shop, I watched them put my Silverado wheels back on with a cordless DeWalt and when it came to the hubcaps - which use plastic lug nuts - he used the lower power setting - which runs the wrench at a slower speed which gives you more control. I was impressed at how at the lower speed he was able to snug up those plastic nuts without over doing it.