M12 Impact Retaining Ring

[6-Speed]

I recently purchased a Milwaukee M12 3/8" impact wrench; I must say it is a well-made tool ... with the exception of the retaining ring. I installed multiple sockets and extensions without issue, but then I tried installing a Milwaukee 3/8" to 1/4" Shockwave Hex adapter and it went on real tight and was even more difficult to remove. After a few attempts a plastic split ring came out from under the retaining ring and it would no longer retain sockets securely . Anyone else have issues with impact wrenches with the retaining ring mechanism failing? My Craftsman C3 1/2" wrench has a ball retainer and it works reliably.

The good points are that the M12 impact seems to live up to its claim of 83 lb-ft of torque. It was able to loosen lug nuts torqued to 80 lb-ft using both the compact and hi-capacity batteries; it did take about 15 seconds of hammering though.

 

[joedodge]

I don't have the Milwaukee but a lot of my impacts have had issues with the hog rings I buy a package of them to have laying around

 

[Fedwrench]

Theres a company called Just Clips that sells packs of retaining rings and washers in various drive sizes up to complete kits with installation pliers and a little installation aid.

The clips are handy for replacing the retaining rings on air tools, cordless tools, or extensions, etc.

 

[ImportTuner]

Theres a company called Just Clips that sells packs of retaining rings and washers in various drive sizes up to complete kits with installation pliers and a little installation aid.

The clips are handy for replacing the retaining rings on air tools, cordless tools, or extensions, etc.

Yep ... works great. Bought mine off eBay ..

 

[csargents1546]

When I have had problems with stuck retaining rings, it was from using chrome sockets instead of impact sockets. The clips mentioned above are great. I got the kit from SO on special for 30 ish dollars. has the tool for removing them and installing the new clips.

 

[6-Speed]

Thanks ... I'll have to buy the kit. Is there a reason most impact wrenches use the retaining ring instead of a ball retainer?

 

[reptilezs]

the balls fall out from impact use

 

[redwrench60]

Thanks ... I'll have to buy the kit. Is there a reason most impact wrenches use the retaining ring instead of a ball retainer?

Look inside your impact socket drive ends, you'll see smooth walls with no detent ball pockets like most chrome sockets. A ball would only line up on an impact socket one way out of four. With hog rings impact sockets line up any way. And as mentioned above chrome sockets and extensions with detent ball pockets can damage hog rings on impacts.

 

[6-Speed]

Look inside your impact socket drive ends, you'll see smooth walls with no detent ball pockets like most chrome sockets. A ball would only line up on an impact socket one way out of four. With hog rings impact sockets line up any way. And as mentioned above chrome sockets and extensions with detent ball pockets can damage hog rings on impacts.

Thanks for pointing that out. I have several brands of impact sockets and all of them have smooth walls on the drive end versus the non-impact sockets that have detents on all four internal walls. And guess what ... the Milwaukee adapter has detents as well.

 

[6-Speed]

FYI - this is the Milwaukee adapter I'm referring to.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/new-pr...-inch-hex-shockwave-impact-adapter/48-03-4405

This statement in the product description is not entirely true:

" ... the Shockwave Impact Duty™ Socket Adapters provide fastening capabilities with all impacts"

 

[6-Speed]

Got the "Just Clips" kit today from Tooltopia and repaired the M12 retaining ring in a few minutes. Now I have parts to fix my 1/2" impact too if needed. Great tool!