Dealing with rusted nuts and bolts has never been my idea of fun, but there are times when it can be unavoidable.
A good cordless impact wrench can make the job a whole lot easier, and the last thing you want to do when taking your car to the mechanics is for the operation to take longer than it has to.
We’ve had the chance to put several cordless impact wrenches through their paces, here are the ones that came out on top.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you change a tire with a cordless impact driver?
Yes. It's actually very straightforward. You can use an impact driver to change a tire without jacking up your vehicle.
You'll come across two schools of thought when you start asking people about this.
The first will say they have always used a traditional cordless drill and it has been fine, you should just be careful. The only caution would be to not use the drill too long or too hard.
The second school of thought will strongly advise against using a cordless drill with an impact driver. They will tell you to go buy a corded drill instead, and just be careful with the cordless drill or don't use it at all.
The truth?
We believe impact drivers are every bit as safe as drills. If you purchase a good quality name brand impact driver, you will likely be fine.
What size impact wrench do I need to remove lug nuts?
To avoid damaging the lug nuts or the wheel hub, you'll need a good sized impact wrench that is capable of generating low torque as well as a lot of power. It is recommended that the torque is between 20 and 100 ft-lb and the power is between 200 up to 1,000+ lbs of force.
A good rule of thumb is that the better your impact wrench, the more likely it is that these specifications are accurate. Also, to make the best decision, you'll need to know the year, make and model of your vehicle. Finally, you'll need to decide if you’re going to be changing two, three or four wheels.
Are battery powered impact wrenches any good?
The short answer is yes, they are indeed quite good, but the long answer requires you to consider what you're planning to use the wrench for.
If you just need to be able to drive some large lag bolts into concrete or steel when installing an AC unit, then it’s probably not worth it. On the other hand, if you plan on getting into construction and needing to change tire straps regularly, an impact wrench can make your life a lot easier.
If you plan on doing a lot of small repairs around the house, then, long story short, it's worth the investment. Impact wrenches are way quicker than using a manual wrench, regardless of tool quality.
How do you change a tire on an impact wrench?
Impact wrenches are helpful in difficult situations (like changing a spare tire on a motorcycle) where regular wrenches are too difficult to use. To change a tire with an impact wrench, you will need the wrench, a tire iron, a lug wrench or a socket from your socket set, and finally, the tire you're replacing. Then you will need to follow the instructions for the impact wrench.
Most impact wrenches come with several adapters that are useful for different situations. You can remove them from the wrench and swap them depending on the circumstance. Some come with an adapter that acts as a brake for the wrench when a lug nut has been removed.
Conclusion
These days, there’re so many options available when it comes to cordless impact wrenches that you can feel overwhelmed with choices. This article is designed to help you understand what to look for when you’re out shopping for a cordless impact wrench for changing tires. We’ve also tested three of the best models in this category to help you make an informed buying decision.