CT Impact Wrench – Torque for changing tires

[xcel]

CT has a Mastercraft ½-in. 7.5A Impact Wrench on sale for $50. This Mastercraft wrench is single speed with 228 lb/ft. of torque.

I wanted to use it for changing winter/summer wheels. Owners manual says tighten wheel nuts to 80 lbf.ft . I do not want to overtighten the wheels. Customer help rep at CT was not much of a help. Shall I buy this wrench or which one should I buy ?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1205092275972

[tugzy]

ONLY use this tool to remove wheel nuts, NEVER use this tool to tighten wheel nuts. Buy a 1/2inch torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the manufacturer's specification

[kumo]

CT has a Mastercraft ½-in. 7.5A Impact Wrench on sale for $50. This Mastercraft wrench is single speed with 228 lb/ft. of torque.

I wanted to use it for changing winter/summer wheels. Owners manual says tighten wheel nuts to 80 lbf.ft . I do not want to overtighten the wheels. Customer help rep at CT was not much of a help. Shall I buy this wrench or which one should I buy ?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1205092275972

I just bought the same impact wrench for changing my winter tires. As mentioned by other RFD members, use this one to unload the lug nuts and use torgue wrench to tighten them to your car's spec, so you would not damage them. They have the torgue wrench on sale like once a month.

On a different note, do I need a impact socket with the impact wrench to take the rims off the car? Can I use regular one just for taking them off? Can someone suggest a good set? i will mostly use for changing the rims only.

[mr_raider]

To remove the rims, I suggest a big rubber mallet.

[mtl4]

I just bought the same impact wrench for changing my winter tires. As mentioned by other RFD members, use this one to unload the lug nuts and use torgue wrench to tighten them to your car's spec, so you would not damage them. They have the torgue wrench on sale like once a month.

On a different note, do I need a impact socket with the impact wrench to take the rims off the car? Can I use regular one just for taking them off? Can someone suggest a good set? i will mostly use for changing the rims only.

X2

I've had the same one too as a backup to my air powered ones for quite some time now. It works fine for taking tires on and off. Technically you are supposed to torque the tires with a torque wrench, but if you have alloys I wouldn't worry too much about it (I've been doing it for years without issue......but you always want to snug them up by hand regardless). Stamped steel wheels can deform alot more (often feels like warped rotors, but it's not) so it often does pay to torque those carefully. Tire shops are supposed to use a torque stick (so you can't overtorque the wheels). The gun is electric so it may have trouble mustering enough torque on rusty or difficult lugs but for most vehicles you shouldn't have a problem.

To answer the second question, yes, you should absoultely be using an impact socket. I used to work in the mechanic trade and I have seen chrome sockets explode in people's faces when used on an impact gun (obviously very bad) so don't do it! You don't need a fancy set to get the job done, just make sure they are for impact tool use (usually black instead of chrome). Names like Campbell Hausfeld, Ingersoll Rand, Husky and even the CT house brand will be fine.

[Spray]

please use a torque wrench.

I almost roundhouse kicked a mechanic who used an impact wrench to tighten and didnt check the torque.

[beerbaron105]

please use a torque wrench.

I almost roundhouse kicked a mechanic who used an impact wrench to tighten and didnt check the torque.

you better roundhouse kick all of them, because i have never seen a mechanic (save for a performance mech. or custom hot-rod mech) use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels, just impact the hell out of them lol

[Spray]

It happened at a wheel shop, they should know better.

Other than that noone touches my tires :P

you better roundhouse kick all of them, because i have never seen a mechanic (save for a performance mech. or custom hot-rod mech) use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels, just impact the hell out of them lol

[GoiNGPoSTaL]

For those only using a torque wrench to tighten tires Canadian Tire has a cheap beam type for $20.

[l69norm]

... This Mastercraft wrench is single speed with 228 lb/ft. of torque.

I hate to break it to you, but this gun will not remove most lug nuts.

You will find that you will need to loosen the nuts first before this gun will remove them. That defeats the whole purpose of this gun. If you use an x-wrench to break and remove the nuts, you'll find it as fast if not faster than using this gun.

A real air impact gun that will blast off lug nuts like those used in a shop will have 375 to 450 ft-lbs.

I suggest you save your $50 and put it towards a small air compressor ($99) and a good air impact gun ($99)

[B0000rt]

I hate to break it to you, but this gun will not remove most lug nuts.

You will find that you will need to loosen the nuts first before this gun will remove them. That defeats the whole purpose of this gun. If you use an x-wrench to break and remove the nuts, you'll find it as fast if not faster than using this gun.

A real air impact gun that will blast off lug nuts like those used in a shop will have 375 to 450 ft-lbs.

I suggest you save your $50 and put it towards a small air compressor ($99) and a good air impact gun ($99)

These are plenty fine at removing wheel lug nuts. I've used this exact impact gun for 3 years swapping winters on and off on my car and my familys' 2 other cars.

You can even use these to save time screwing the nuts (or bolts if you drive a German vehicle) back on. If you remove the machine right after the first few impacts, you'll notice it's on tight, but still not torqued properly (it'll give about 1/8th to quarter turn until it's torqued)

[v33k]

It's a decent gun if you want to use it for changing seasonal tires. Save you some sweat and time.

But don't count on it to break lose seized bolts or nuts.

[spf1971]

you better roundhouse kick all of them, because i have never seen a mechanic (save for a performance mech. or custom hot-rod mech) use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels, just impact the hell out of them lol

You can set your impact gun to the proper torque or use torque limiting extensions for the proper torque. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools...e=snapon-store

I still double check with a torque wrench but that's a personal choice.

[xcel]

I just bought the same impact wrench for changing my winter tires. As mentioned by other RFD members, use this one to unload the lug nuts and use torgue wrench to tighten them to your car's spec, so you would not damage them. They have the torgue wrench on sale like once a month.

Do you remember approx how much $ when these are on sales at CT ?

or Where I can get a more reasonably priced one?

[kumo]

Do you remember approx how much $ when these are on sales at CT ?

or Where I can get a more reasonably priced one?

I got mine on sale for $64.99, save $45 about 40% off last October. I think they have this on sale about 3 weeks ago, not 100% sure. The product # is 58-8562-8 WRCH TORQ 1/2D.