I can't go another day without impact tools!

[eddie1278]

What a day

I bought a 1997 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 about a month ago. Today I tried to tackle replacing my front sway bar end links and shocks.

All the time I spent out there about 6+ hours I could have been done in under 2 hours easy with an impact wrench.

All the bolts are so rusted but I got one shock replaced. The other side I got the top bolt out and the bottom bolt down to the last roughly 8 threads and then is seized up on me. I soaked it in PB blast many times it does nothing. I use a 18" breaker bar because thats all the room I have.

So now I have one good shock and one old shock in with the bolts loose. So I have to pay someone to take a damn bolt out. I have been working on all of my cars for 16+ years and other peoples cars and never had to take anything to a shop. The only time I did was to have a new trans installed.

Sucky day and I'm exhausted and my back hurts. I'm not touching anything under the truck or suspension related until I get some impact tools. The only thing breaker bars do is break your back and waste time.

I just don't have the money for impact stuff yet but I am def going to work on it!

 

[jd_1138]

I just don't have the money for impact stuff yet but I am def going to work on it!

The impact stuff will cost about what the shop will charge you to fix your truck once, but the impact stuff will be used for years. The gift the keeps on giving. Even if you have to buy used or the better HF stuff, better than nothing.

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

Harbor freight earthquake impact gun and Pittsburgh impact sockets. About$100 and you'll have a decent set up assuming you already have a compressor.

 

[619DioFan]

If you have the compressor already then get the HF earthquake gun, got mine on sale and with coupon for 70.00 Has not let me down yet. no compressor ? get the IR cordless impact , great investment.

 

[Shadowdog500]

+1 on an earthquake impact! Darn good gun for the money.

Chris

 

[eddie1278]

If you have the compressor already then get the HF earthquake gun, got mine on sale and with coupon for 70.00 Has not let me down yet. no compressor ? get the IR cordless impact , great investment.

Yeah I'm 99% sure I am getting the IR cordless but somewhat concerned about clearance issues. When you work on suspension stuff can a cordless access most bolts without issues?

 

[mech-tech]

If you keep an eye on sears wesite, I have seen nice impacts with $50 online only coupons.

 

[mudflap]

Dont know if you have your compressor yet, or what your budget will be....Wish i would have had a resource like this forum when i was a starting out buying tools..You might already know this, if so disregard....but we are here to support each others tool addictions, and try to save the next guy some time and money...You need at least a 20gal - 120 x 6 compressor, or you will be buying another one. Get a good one.. If you average out the cost of a good one -vs- buying 3 cheapo's Well..you can do the math. And stear clear of all the impacts under $50. All the stores have one...they are all junk...It will be tempting...they say 400 ft lbs on the box...but dont fall for it (or keep your recipt). IR has one out there for about $70 (lowes), not their top of the line by any means...but at least it does what the box says it will do, and is decent quality.....

 

[volvo92906]

Heck... If you dont have a compressor and dont have the money.. The electric impacts that HF sells arent too bad. Cheap and effective.

*Disclaimer for the Made in America, Earthquake is the best gun in the world super douches: It is an effective tool for the cost and the OP does not have to go out and buy a 3million gallon air compressor because your uncles brothers sisters husband has one in his garage and he can build anything.

 

[mudflap]

+1 on an earthquake impact! Darn good gun for the money.

Chris

+2 on the earthquake, we have one on our service truck, takes a beating, and gets the job done.....

 

[stonesfan68]

You can get Gearwrench or Ingersoll-Rand impact sockets for pretty cheap if you decided not to go the Harbor Freight route.

 

[zakmartin]

I have way better luck with Liquid Wrench Penetrating Oil than PBlaster. At the very least, you might want to start with that. A Bernz-o-matic MAPP torch can help with rusty bolts as well.

Ultimately though, yeah. I'd be lost without my Aircat 1150 impact wrench and its 1,295 Feet-pounds (ft-lb) of loosening torque.

 

[mudflap]

Heck... If you dont have a compressor and dont have the money.. The electric impacts that HF sells arent too bad. Cheap and effective.

*Disclaimer for the Made in America, Earthquake is the best gun in the world super douches: It is an effective tool for the cost and the OP does not have to go out and buy a 3million gallon air compressor because your uncles brothers sisters husband has one in his garage and he can build anything.

Yea......"SUPER DOUCHES".......LOL.........

 

[tshetter]

Is it possible to cut the bolt and replace it with a new one?

What would that cost be?

/never done shocks, so don't know the situation at all with this.

 

[tshetter]

Yea......"SUPER DOUCHES".......LOL.........

For those BIG greasy tacos!

/Had to go there, didn't I? =)

 

[Fireball027]

Impact tools work great, however even with them there are many times you need torches working on that rusted stuff.

 

[eddie1278]

Is it possible to cut the bolt and replace it with a new one?

What would that cost be?

/never done shocks, so don't know the situation at all with this.

I tried cutting it the bolts are super hard steel they just flattened the teeth on my blade it cut into the bolt about 1/8" Not much access and I only have a jigsaw.

 

[chrisa7164]

If you have a dodge dealership near you see if they sell their heat riser penetrant..It will foam up and leach into the threads.

 

[shoggoth80]

"Impact tools work great, however even with them there are many times you need torches working on that rusted stuff. "

-This is true enough. I have hit stuff with my 1/2" gun, and it just laughed at it. Some of the fasteners get seriously locked in place.

 

[davesnothere]

If you're an 1/8 of the way thru the bolt already it sounds like you just need a hammer.

 

[woody 73]

A used air compressor, a HF impact gun and a set of HF impact sockets should be in reach of most people.
By the way do they make a "3 million gal. air compressor"???
On the other hand going electric used can also work well for most people on a small budget.

 

[6-Speed]

Even a good cordless impact wrench is beneficial for suspension work.

 

[Zeroek]

The cordless impacts are terrible for suspension work. way too big to get into spaces. I used my Snap on I had on some stuff but i won't work on all. I'd say get some Gray Pneumatic impact sockets, one of those HF impacts. I haven't used one but looks like they are decent. But I'd be trying a torch. Heat has always worked for me. Map or propane even though they aren't anything compared to acetalyne.

 

[Tim G]

Yeah I'm 99% sure I am getting the IR cordless but somewhat concerned about clearance issues. When you work on suspension stuff can a cordless access most bolts without issues?

Get an impact swivel when you get a gun.
Works same as a regular universal adapter,but has a pin to hold the socket so it doesn't go flying if you slip off the fastener.

 

[Shadowdog500]

A used air compressor, a HF impact gun and a set of HF impact sockets should be in reach of most people.
By the way do they make a "3 million gal. air compressor"???
On the other hand going electric used can also work well for most people on a small budget.

+1! On not being out of reach for most people. Unless you are painting, sand blasting, or using a DA sander you don't need a "3 million gallon air compressor". I got by with a 4CFM 2HP 20 gallon compressor for 25 years, because you usually only need a short burst of air for the impact and there is plenty of recovery time between bursts. Once you get a compressor you can also get all sorts of air tools in addition to the impact gun. I love it when I see a guy with a two stage 80 gallon air compressor to run an impact and put air in thier tires.

Chris

 

[G_P]

When the bolt stopped coming out did you try retightening it and then try again to remove it?

That has worked for me in the past.

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

Where the EFF do you live?

I have a 99 done tons of maintenance and repairs and modifications with out air tools!

I pulled out my ****** and xfer case with Snap On FH80 3/8ths drive. Sway bar links you can do with out jacking up the truck. Get the Universals Poly Red One's get the part number for ya. Will be great!

 

[skruft]

If you have access to compressed air, you can get adequate air tools and hoses for little money. The compressor is the costly thing.

For something large and stuck as you describe it, use air impact, not electric or cordless.

Surprised about the shock bolt. I don't often find them stuck, and never the last threads.

 

[DirtRoads]

I use a DeWalt 1/2" drive 120v impact for that kind of stuff. With a universal joint and some extensions you can get it almost anywhere that a pneumatic wrench will go. I don't know about you but I sure do find electricity easier to source than compressed air.