I have the makita old mid and high torques. The mid torque will easily removed torqued wheel bolts but struggles on stuff that has rusted up or been done up by someone jumping on a breaker bar. The high torque undoes everything. New mid torque looks interesting, need to check the reviews.
Personal Experience: Lug nuts cordless impact
- Thread starter klassenl
- Start date
matt_i
Well-known member
I'm sold. Over last summer I was trucking machines and blew out a tire on the ohio turnpike with a 7000 lb machine on the trailer. With a 1/2 milwaukee mid torque I had all 8 lugnuts off as soon as I could jack up the trailer axle. It probably would have been 20 minutes to find the right hand tools in the kit and crank them all off one by one. My only issue was that my spare tire never got aired up fully before leaving and so I had to limp into the next exit to top it off. Now fixed with an M12 inflator....I carry both cordless tools on any road trip as standard items in case of trouble. I started purchasing a dedicated single impact socket for each vehicle so I don't have to steal from my sets, just take along the tool and a charged battery.
I have all other ones. i have no milwaukee batteries anymore. and im doing just fine with them
alinc100
Well-known member
I have the Makita XWT11 .I have not had any issue with it removing/replacing the lug nuts on my Honda CRV. Only vehicle I've been able to try it on. I'm sure there is a newer model ,mines a year-two old. They are a great way to do things, no longer having hoses to deal with.
NWOhioChevyGuy
Well-known member
I upgraded from my 18V Dewalt to a M18 Milwaukee High Torque, and the thing is a BEAST.
It is an investment, but it can do most of what my 3/4" pneumatic impact can.
Worst thing is making sure you don't have it on High Torque all the time, or you WILL break ****
It is an investment, but it can do most of what my 3/4" pneumatic impact can.
Worst thing is making sure you don't have it on High Torque all the time, or you WILL break ****
Mirage
Well-known member
Ridgid's have an auto setting in forward that will only spin it until the hammer starts hitting at ~45 ft/lbs. Nice for those of us that like to torque lugnuts by hand.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I do exactly the same thing... but 24" 1/2" breaker bar from HF. Then my stubby M12
Wrench97
Well-known member
The impact action of electric tools is different then air, they do not work well with torque sticks.
That said unless the lugs where put on by a gorilla a mid torque should not be a issue.
dave_dj1
Well-known member
'OP I know you are set on Makita but, I own two Ryobi 1/2" impacts and about all they get used for is removing/replacing lug nuts, I have never had an issue, I do double check them most of the time with a breaker bar. I was so impressed with the first one that I purchased the second one just to carry in my Jeep (03 Rubicon with 35" rubber) I have a complete line of Ryobi in my garage so batteries aren't a problem and the cold doesn't seem to bother them. These are only rated at 300 pounds feet of torque and have performed above my expectations. The only thing I use my big compressor for now is painting and die grinder. YMMV
428PI
Well-known member
Most of the time my m18 Milwaukee 3/8 gets lugs off of all my fords (100 ft lbs) but not nearly as well as my IR 3/8 air driven impact. Someday I'll buy a 1/2 Milwaukee but my IR 1/2 air is still working after 20 years or so but it is getting weaker especially with my home air compressor.
A couple years ago I bought a Rigid Impact. Life changer. I only bring out the IR when doing heavier work...which isn't often.
I have DeWalt cordless tools, but the lifetime replacement batteries on the Rigid sealed the deal.
I have DeWalt cordless tools, but the lifetime replacement batteries on the Rigid sealed the deal.
aggie113
Well-known member
I have the current Ingersoll Rand 20v impact and the previous one. The current one has tons of torque and I am fine having it as my only 1/2 impact guns in the garage. I just wish they would expand their 20v line of products.
www.ingersollrand.com
W7152 20V High-Torque Cordless Impact Wrench| Ingersoll Rand
The W7152 from Ingersoll Rand is a cordless impact wrench that combines power, control, and durability. Ideal for demanding applications where portability is key.
Killer95Stang
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2008
- Messages
- 341
Bought the Ryobi HP Brushless version of the 1/2" impact and 3/8" impact wrenches. The 1/2" is awesome and does short work of removing lug nuts, suspension bolts, harmonic balancer bolts.. etc.. The 3/8" handles all the rest of the smaller nuts/ bolts around the car and house. I'm just a DIY homeowner, so the Ryobi stuff is more than adequite for what I need. Plus I've added quite a few other items, like leaf blower, fans and lights, so using the same batteries and chargers is nice. If you plan on using them professionally, then maybe stepping up to Milwaukee or Makita would be worth it to you.
bwringer
Well-known member
I've heard this as well, and they do feel different somehow. And different battery impacts also seem to hit differently as well.
Calling Torque Test Channel... maybe you can finally settle the torque stick debate. Or throw gas on the fire.
I have the newer Ryobi brushless mid-torque. Brushless motors give you more power and efficiency for the size and weight, and this tool is also taking good advantage of the greater "controllability". Since there's feedback to the electronics from the motor, the motors can be controlled far more precisely.
As noted above, the ability to choose from three power settings is very handy for those times when you're tightening stuff, or you need to be careful not to break stuff. The lowest power setting is perfect for installing lug nuts. Just enough to snug up and then come back with a torque wrench.
There's also a fourth "auto" mode that stops the tool when it starts impacting in the forward direction. Handy when you just want to seat the fastener. In reverse, "auto" stops the tool when it detects that the fastener has broken free. Basically this leaves the lug nuts loose but attached instead of spinning them all the way off at max speed, and potentially zinging the lug nuts into the weeds. Handy in some situations.
I've also noticed that even in full beans setting, it seems to ramp up over a second or so. A little odd at first, but it makes sense; it should keep from breaking stuff as much, and probably helps the tool last longer.
kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Torque stiks are not accurate with the many different impact guns out there. Torque wrench is the only way to properly torque wheel nuts. Put it this way, would you use a torque stick and impact to tighten head bolts? Heh, ya, didn't think so, which proves my point.
banjopete
Well-known member
Can't go wrong with any mid-torque cordless these days for the wheel change and odd job thing, they're overkill just for wheels though. If compact size isn't a care especially any of the 4-500ftlb models is tons of pop for most things. We're in the luxurious times of plenty of options, pick your brand and battery and have at it. I've been thrilled with my milwaukee stubby, and my ridgid mid torque, both have their spots, the stubby gets used way more than the big fella, and I'd be hard pressed to pick one over the other.
MarineScott
Well-known member
I have 2 Kobalt brand. One is the regular type, and the other is the XTR. The regular type of Kobalt I keep in the car, the other one is for work, using it on truck and trailer wheels ( not semi wheels). The XTR is a beast. If my battery platform was Milwaukee, I would use that.
I've had a 1/2" ryobi cordless impact wrench for 3 yrs now. It does the trick for my lugs on my F250. IT will do all for tires on a rotation on one charge. Im not a pro and dont use my tools to earn a living. I use them for DIY homeowner stuff. I haven't used it in a while. Most of the time I use air tools My Chicago Pneumatics do just as good of a job as the ryobi. I'll mostly use the ryobi when Im traveling. If I get a flat I can use the cordless instead of cranking by hand.
smackey05
Well-known member
I'm running the M18 high torque impact. Has tons of power and is a decent compact size. I typically keep it in my truck when I am towing but it spends most of the days in the garage.
soloz2
Well-known member
I have a 3/8" Milwaukee M18 impact wrench that works well, but honestly I typically just use my 1/2" flex head ratchet. Properly torqued lug nuts are easy enough to remove by hand, and I never install lugs with an impact. Installing them I'll use my torque wrench to get them all properly torqued.
The impact wrench comes in handy when having to remove lugs that were not properly torqued, or other rusty/stuck bolts.
The impact wrench comes in handy when having to remove lugs that were not properly torqued, or other rusty/stuck bolts.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,483
The Dewalt mid torque 1/2 drive takes off PU truck and cars lug nuts easily. Never had issues taking off rusted/seized fasteners in rust belt yet. However for lug nuts prefer using a 24 inch breaker bar first, DIYer, not in a hurry.
rburke65
Well-known member
I just use my cordless drill to get them on then use a torque wrench to tighten to specs.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
There was a thread here on GJ a while back where a guy tested the M18 big boy and mid torque using torque sticks. The mid hit too fast and would not give the stick time to react and they would not work. The big boy hits slower and allows the torque stick time to do its job. I tested it with my M18 big boy and an 80 ft lb stick. It was consistent 80-84 lbs each time. I then used my TW to take it to the 125ft lbs. on y lug nuts.
BigLeagueSmoes
Well-known member
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I use the M18 hi torque, it's an inch stubber than the Makita.
It also works hard enough on some of the MD trucks of not count on a mid torque.
I land 1/8-1/4 turn of the torque wrench shy of final setting well over 90% of the time modulating the trigger of the Milwaukee set to full tilt, the other settings just represent more potential failure points.
To be fair, with the service truck, I probably practice more than some.
Max78
Well-known member
I use a cheap Milwaukee impact driver to zip lugs off after I break them loose. I never impact them on and finish with a torque wrench to spec.
If I had a more powerful impact I would zip off the lugs that are solid, but never the crappy chrome capped ones.
If I had a more powerful impact I would zip off the lugs that are solid, but never the crappy chrome capped ones.
BigLeagueSmoes
Well-known member
Which model did you purchase?
frankd
Well-known member
+1 on the M18 fuel. Love mine. I also have a pneumatic HF impact wrench (can't remember the model) but havent touched it since buying the M18
engineer2
Well-known member
I put my unused HF Earthquake air impact on FBMP and CL. I was surprised when I sold in a week for $50, probably half of what I paid for it.
Garcky
Well-known member
Yes. I'm with you on that. It's been at least three years since I removed a lug nut on one of my vehicles. I had to take a wheel and tire in to get a flat fixed. So, I got my 18" 1/2" drive breaker bar, a six inch extension, and the socket I needed. I grabbed my 1/2" drive speed handle, too, as I went out the door. I dragged my little 2-ton floor jack behind me.
So, I broke all of the lugnuts free, jacked that corner up, and then swapped the socket onto my speed handle and removed them all. Put them in the hubcap and slid it under the car. Tossed the wheel and tire in the other car and headed for the tire shop. When I got home, I reversed the process.
Would an impact wrench have speeded things up? Sure, but not by all that much. So, I don't need one. I'm old. I don't do a lot of car work any more.
If you don’t pull a wheel very often, the old fashioned manual method works fine. I am just a DIYer, but I probably remove and install about 100 wheels per year. I could do that the old fashioned manual way, but prefer the modern conveniences. Milwaukee M18 impact was my first battery powered automotive tool.
Ive got a dewalt 891. Its rated for 600 ft/lbs but honestly I think thats a stretch. Its does fine with lug nuts. It does struggle with some larger fasteners. And I have completely ran it out of power running 3/8" lag bolts into oak 6x6s.
M18 2767 full send removal AND install.
Make sure you get the correct serial number because the second one will install to correct torque then break.
BigLeagueSmoes
Well-known member
Thanks OP
beemerphile
Well-known member
It is not just you. Torque sticks WILL consistently over-torque with a powerful battery tool. Best practice is final torque with a manual torque wrench.