Which Impact Wrench

[ATLE90]

A little background. I am new to working on cars. Have done my brakes and changed a couple easy to reach engine components. Turns out that my tension strut bushing has failed and I need to get it swapped out. Decided to take this job up on my own. Seems pretty straightforward.

When I changed my brake rotors, the bolts on the caliper carrier were tough to break. So I decided this time around to buy an impact wrench. I just don't want to struggle with that again. I have been reading a bunch online and can't decide what I really need torque wise.

I am tempted towards the Kobalt 24v, which appears to be very powerful for a battery powered impact. But I am not interested in spending $200 unless it really makes sense.

On the other hand, I don't need to break bolts often so the HF corded and battery impacts tempt me. As it is only going to be used a couple times a year, I don't want to break the bank on this.

I understand the quality differences, my concern is really how much torque do I really need as a DIY'er? FYI, the car is an 2008 335i that has never seen a northern winter. My wife's car, on the other hand, is a couple years older with 3 Chicago winters. I anticipate this will primarily be used for suspension work.

 

[Forever Fixin]

Suspension work is some of the toughest work an impact will face. I'd say buy the most torque you can find. If you have a compressor I'd get an air impact.

 

[kctyphoon]

I'll say this much, if you're going to invest in something cordless don't make you're purchase based off the one tool you want right now. Invest into a cordless platform so you can use the same batteries on multiple tools youll find that you're gonna want to purchase later. I'd have to recommend Milwaukee for that.

If you don't want to, or don't see yourself spending the money you could always just use a breaker bar. The Kobalt impact does seem nice, but Kobalt has a history of creating new battery platforms that don't stick around too long. If you have a compressor you COULD go pneumatic, but most people are getting away from those since these new cordless have stepped up in the last few years.

Any cordless you buy, the first purchase will be the big one. Get a set that comes with batteries and a charger. After that you can buy ANY bare tool tool to use with them. There's no getting away from that. You can buy something like a Milwaukee m18 drill, or drill and impact driver kit to start. After that you have about 6 different impact wrenches you can pick from.. then lights or saws, or nothing (that never seems to be the case though)

Milwaukee just recently released a mid torque impact wrench. It's powerful and small as far as cordless impacts. It's about $179 for a bare tool, and for about $100 or so, you can get a basic drill kit with 2 batteries and a dual m18/m12 charger. During the holidays, Milwaukee has some pretty crazy tool deals. I've never seen any other company run sales and deals like Milwaukee does.

Father's day sales are around, but just quickly this is something you can consider as a first kit for $129. Drill with 2 batteries and a charger at home Depot online from Milwaukee. After that you can make a bare tool purchase for an impact wrench.

Like many people here, I started out just wanting to upgrade the basic 4 cordless tools I had. Now I own ALOT more than I ever thought I would. Every purchase has met or exceeded expectations.

One suggestion is to buy a refurb set from CPO to get the first kit and batteries. That's how I started. It saves money and can get you all the essential​ stuff. After that you can buy anything else specific to what you need to do.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

The Kobalt sounds right for you so save up for this investment. It's reely gonna **** if you buy a cheap China and it doesn't get the bolts/nuts you bought it for plus there are your unknowns which will always come about. Get some Stanley impact sockets and a reducer so you can use it w 3/8 drive sockets. Get a ball type universal swivel, 1/2" drive. Use any extension that will work, dont worry if impact or chrome. This will cover alot of bases and hopefully many years of use. Good luck man.

 

[jumbojak]

If you want power there's a deal going at CPO Outlets for the Milwaukee high torque. Buy the bare tool and you can get the 9.0 ah battery kit free. It's heavy and large but is a very powerful impact. If it'll fit I can't see there being too many bolts it won't break free. Personally, I'd hold off on any Kobalt 24V tools until they develop more of a pedigree. My brother has the drill and impact driver from when they were first on sale and is happy with them but I'll let him be the guinea pig.

NAPA might have some deals going on the Dewalt impacts. I don't have the flyer in front of me but I seem to remember there being a few.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Wow, just looked at that mid-range Milwaukee. Looks perfect I'm probably going to order one!

 

[Mr_B]

if only going use it couple times a year don't buy cordless, batteries will go bad if not used a lot.
Your best torque bang for buck without owning air compressor will be corded impact wrench, they quite cheap and last for years with no battery issues .
If you can by an impact gun using same batteries on other cordless tools you already own then not so bad as batteries can be shared and used more plus initial purchase cheaper if buy impact wrench only (no batteries/charger)

 

[TheCarbideRat]

The tradeoff, one of the tradeoffs being the use of an extension cord. Corded would work fine if you are near a plug all the time but might need some portability at some point, roadside tire change for one. I also thought cordeds wern't as powerful, correct me if Im wrong...

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Here's one, 240 ft lbs. with a 7 amp motor:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OZHIN0S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Def looking like a good option for the OP from the reviews.

 

[firworks]

The Milwaukee high torque impact is awesome, but the one warning I'll give you is it's huge. Working on suspension there may be cases where an air impact would fit but the Milwaukee won't and then you'll be stuck using U-joints and extensions and that robs your power. I think that's the primary downside to the cordless impacts. That and they can be pretty loud.

 

[Mr_B]

corded then kobalt good at around 600ft/lbs
Air compressor is best really, high power stubby impact and rivet hammer gun about 2 best tools for lot of hub and suspension work on cars .
I do use a small 10.8v impact for small fixing under hood and bench dismantling work but stubby air impact is in use 90% of time as fits almost anywhere, nice use and nice amount of power yet controlled .

 

[ATLE90]

Thanks for all the input.

The tough thing with the cordless, as you guys have noted, is buying in with the battery system, i.e. it is expensive. Last year I bought a combo drill/impact driver from Hitatchi. Came with two batteries and a case. The lifetime warranty is what sold me. At the time, though, I would not have though I had any need for an impact wrench so never looked at what they offered. Theirs seem to be under powered/not good value for the money. These are the three options:

(354 Ft Lb - $199 - large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4NRHSM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

(255 Ft Lb -$189 - compact) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR9JAJ3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

(185 Ft Lb - $90 - compact) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4NRGR4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can't find the loosening torque for any of these, which is what really matters to me. Presumably it is a bit higher on each, as that seems to be the trend on these things.

The mid level Milwaukee one looks great, but is more than I want to spend. Tool is a decent price but their batteries and charges are pricey.

Any thoughts on the Hitatchis?

 

[ATLE90]

The tradeoff, one of the tradeoffs being the use of an extension cord. Corded would work fine if you are near a plug all the time but might need some portability at some point, roadside tire change for one. I also thought cordeds wern't as powerful, correct me if Im wrong...

They aren't as powerful, which is counterintuitive. Not sure what the reason is for that. I am sure there is an explanation. I do know that you need to make sure you have the proper gauge extension cord otherwise it won't produce the torque advertised.

 

[matsurocka]

If I'm using a cordless impact, it's gonna be a 20volt dewalt XR 1/4" drive and nothing else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[disston]

Stick with one brand and one voltage size so the first purchase is important. The consensus here seems to be Milwaukee. I don't disagree with that but when I made my move I wasn't aware of all the options. I needed a sander and was in Home Depot so I ended up with 18V Makita. Makita is also well respected. I've been happy with it and have added several other tools.

I'm not aware that not using Lithium Ion batteries is all that bad for them but I have several different tools and so one of them is used every few months.

A lot of tools nowadays are being touted as "brushless". That sounds like an advantage but is it? How do they work? Sounds like a computer chip is taking over the job of the brush. Is that so? Will it stand severe use? Will it last longer than a brushed motor? Or when it wears out unlike the brushed motor it is not repairable?