? for all Milwaukee 3/8 Stubby owners

pioneer1 · Dec 29, 2018

As a home user would this be a good purchase for removing lug nuts, outer tie rod bolts, stabilizer bolts, shock bolts, and other front end parts?

I have read conflicting information about their ability to remove these. So I wanted to ask those that are using them.

Thanks
Ed

takotruckin · Dec 30, 2018

M12 stubby right?

Mine will remove many lug nuts, definitely not all of them. Brake caliper bolts are no problem, caliper bracket bolts are easy unless they are a GM with factory loctite(they take a breaker bar). Tie rod end nuts are doable, shock bolts should be doable if they aren’t rusted.

Overall I am extremely happy with mine.

Project_shadow · Dec 30, 2018

The stubby is a great gun, but it does have its limits, it struggles with rusted fasteners like bumper bolts, I would like to get a mid torque eventually at home, but the 3/8 stubby works good when it's got the strength

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Nitsua98 · Dec 30, 2018

I have the 1/2 stubby impact which is rated at the same 250 ft lbs. breakaway torque as the 3/8. I removed a tie rod end nut with it yesterday no problem. I have the high torque gun as well which is a bit of a behemoth but can remove (or snap) anything you throw at it. It does hammer a bit longer than the bigger one but it can do a lot for it's size.

eschreiner · Dec 30, 2018

I use a 3/8 stubby daily at work and while it is very handy for most things, it definitely won't take bigger stuff off. It will struggle with larger fasteners especially if it's rusty. The auto shut off mode works awesome for running down fasteners till they are snug then torquing them down with a torque wrench.

PelicanPines · Dec 30, 2018

I got the 1/2" stubby to do brake calipers … prior to the stubby, I was forced to use a breaker bar... now it has not let me down once. I live near the ocean... rust is a thing... seized calipers is a thing... so my tool gets used on mine and my neighbors cars.

I got the nano 1/2" impact sockets as well.. awesome combination with the stubby.

I only did one wheel with the stubby so far and I love... repeat... love the spin down setting (no torque)…

Formula · Dec 30, 2018

In real world situations, it falls short at times. There are many factors that come into play - size of the fastener, rust, etc.

I wouldn't recommend using it for lugnuts unless using it strictly on your own vehicle, where you know if was torqued to spec and not over tightened. Even my mid torque 1/2 struggles at times with vehicles that roll into the shop.

The other day I was replacing stabilizer and links on a Tahoe, and the 1/2 mid torque couldn't bust them loose. I had to break out the high torque.

The 3/8 stubby is a fine tool and I use it a lot. Just understand it has limitations. Don't think it's going to tackle every job you come across.

DFB · Dec 30, 2018

Nothing is a given and often times what works in one application often doesn't carry over for another depending on the variables. A good example I remember is I could loosen a series of lug nuts up over 100ftlbs with my old 3/8 M12 2454 but another guy couldn't get the lugs of his car wheels with one.

IMO a Mid Torque will make easy shock mounts and most truck lugs. And it's not hard to figure whatever the original M18 compacts were well suited for the M12 stubby will do just as good or better

visionguru · Dec 30, 2018

pioneer1 said:
As a home user would this be a good purchase for removing lug nuts, outer tie rod bolts, stabilizer bolts, shock bolts, and other front end parts?

I have read conflicting information about their ability to remove these. So I wanted to ask those that are using them.

Thanks
Ed

I don't own M18 stubby, but I can tell you that it's too weak for most front end bolts. If you only want to buy 1 impact wrench, get the biggest 1/2" guns.

A couple of years ago, I was looking for an impact that can handle my DIY needs. I got an Ingersoll Rand W5132 3/8", which is rated at 365 ft-lb max torque, 550ft-lb nut busting torque. It can take off lug nuts ok, but for many bolts (such as caliper bracket bolt, and bolts bigger than 17mm), it struggles, especially when I have to use extensions (which will greatly reduce the torque). Then, I had to get the W7150, which is rated at 1100ft-lb nut busting.

From the specs, M18 stubby is handy to use after you break the bolt loose, basically a convenience tool to get the job done quicker. For a home DIYer, it really does not extend your capability like those meanest 1/2" guns.

jshillin · Dec 30, 2018

Agree with most of the guys above. It comes in handy, but not much for removing lug nuts. I tried on a few of my vehicles and have to grab my M18 Fuel impact in many cases.

2manytools · Dec 30, 2018

pioneer1 said:
As a home user would this be a good purchase for removing lug nuts, outer tie rod bolts, stabilizer bolts, shock bolts, and other front end parts?

I think you are beyond home user with that list of work. Not saying the M12 couldn't handle it, as I really don't know even though I own one, but if you are trying to get out of ever using a breaker bar, I would suggest in getting a more powerful impact. I'm probably beyond DIY/home user, and do some more basic auto work, but own the M12 stubbie 3/8, M18 fuel mid-torque, m18 fuel high torque, just in case the model below can't handle something.

If you are doing that much work, the saved money should allow you to invest in more tools. If most of your work doesn't need the clearance the stubbie provides, get a mid-torque model and will handle of that.

? for all Milwaukee 3/8 Stubby owners

pioneer1

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takotruckin

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Project_shadow

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Nitsua98

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eschreiner

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PelicanPines

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Formula

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DFB

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visionguru

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jshillin

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2manytools

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