Air impact wrench

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 13:48

I've got a cheap piece of shit air wrench that the shop threw in when I bought my compressor. Problem with it is that it won't even undo the wheel nuts on my girlfriend's car, which I expect it should do fairly easily no? I can't remember what make it is but can take a photo tonight when I'm home. I'm wondering if it might be faulty?

Compressor is 2.5HP and runs at 90psi most of the time for air ratchet etc. Dunno if this is powerful enough to run one?

Anyway, reckon I'm gonna need to do the CV joints on my truck which will need a fairly grunty impact wrench (struggled with this before on an old car I had). If the wrench I've got currently isn't faulty and is just shit, what is the minimum I need to spend? Any recommendations as to a particular one that is good for what I need? Not sure what the torque setting is for the spindle nut but I had real problems on the old Peugot had to take it to a mechanic in the end.

**unstuck** · 30th May 2011, 14:44

Is it worth spending the money on a good impact wrench for you? What sort of truck?
4x4? May not have an axle nut?

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 14:56

Originally Posted by unstuck

Is it worth spending the money on a good impact wrench for you? What sort of truck?
4x4? May not have an axle nut?

Yeah well I totally agree with you there, I'd probably use it once in a blue moon, and besides I don't have the money to spend too much. Dunno what other options I've got though.

It's a Grand Vitara and I think it does have an axle nut, not had a good look yet as only noticed it this morning, will check it out tonight.

**unstuck** · 30th May 2011, 14:58

And a piece of pipe to go over the handle?

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 15:01

Originally Posted by unstuck

And a piece of pipe to go over the handle?

Aye that is the backup plan, I've got a pretty solid breaker and an iron pipe which should fit it. And got a mate who I think has an impact socket to fit.

Cheers

**unstuck** · 30th May 2011, 15:03

Just get your mate to sit in it and put his foot on the brake pedal.

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 15:13

Sounds easy eh!!

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 15:16

Originally Posted by unstuck

Just get your mate to sit in it and put his foot on the brake pedal.

Just had a thought, why do the brakes have to be on? Didn't think it would move? Problem is the caliper has to come off first no?

**unstuck** · 30th May 2011, 15:19

Originally Posted by cbfb

Just had a thought, why do the brakes have to be on? Didn't think it would move? Problem is the caliper has to come off first no?

I would leave the brakes until you have the nuts undone,just in case.

**Edbear** · 30th May 2011, 17:02

The biggest problem is your statement, "I haven't got a lot of money to spend.." The only way to get a good quality impact gun is to pay for one. BEst value on the market IMHO is the Sumake 1,000ft/lb 1/2". I sold bucket loads of these when I worked for Sulco. Best of the 1/2" guns out there. For CV joints you may need a 3/4" as many of these nuts are frozen and no 1/2" gun will shift them.

I can get guns, or anything else they sell, from Sulco and offer at a better price than you'll get anywhere else. The Sumake is the most powerful 1/2" gun on the market with a RRP of $569.25. I can do it for $483.65. Not a cheap gun but you've already got one of those...

You need a minimum 90 psi but as important as pressure is, so is flow and the gruntier the air-tool the more air it sucks and I'd recommend a minimum 50lt tank.

**cbfb** · 30th May 2011, 18:28

Originally Posted by unstuck

I would leave the brakes until you have the nuts undone,just in case.

Jacked it up and had a look tonight, turned out all that had happened was the lower outside bumper mount had self-destructed so the wheel arch lining was flapping about - at full lock the tyre was just touching the lining, making a horrible noise not too different to a knackered CV joint! Glad it was only a 10 min fix. (no impact wrench required)

Originally Posted by Edbear

The biggest problem is your statement, "I haven't got a lot of money to spend.." The only way to get a good quality impact gun is to pay for one. BEst value on the market IMHO is the Sumake 1,000ft/lb 1/2". I sold bucket loads of these when I worked for Sulco. Best of the 1/2" guns out there. For CV joints you may need a 3/4" as many of these nuts are frozen and no 1/2" gun will shift them.

I can get guns, or anything else they sell, from Sulco and offer at a better price than you'll get anywhere else. The Sumake is the most powerful 1/2" gun on the market with a RRP of $569.25. I can do it for $483.65. Not a cheap gun but you've already got one of those...

You need a minimum 90 psi but as important as pressure is, so is flow and the gruntier the air-tool the more air it sucks and I'd recommend a minimum 50lt tank.

Yep, I agree with all the above. Not much point getting a cheap one and although I could save up for a decent one, is it really worth it for something I'll hardly use? Could buy a new lid or a back protector which I want to buy next.

**unstuck** · 30th May 2011, 18:33

Originally Posted by cbfb

Jacked it up and had a look tonight, turned out all that had happened was the lower outside bumper mount had self-destructed so the wheel arch lining was flapping about - at full lock the tyre was just touching the lining, making a horrible noise not too different to a knackered CV joint! Glad it was only a 10 min fix. (no impact wrench required)

Yep, I agree with all the above. Not much point getting a cheap one and although I could save up for a decent one, is it really worth it for something I'll hardly use? Could buy a new lid or a back protector which I want to buy next.

Atta boy.

**Laava** · 30th May 2011, 22:13

Originally Posted by cbfb

I've got a cheap piece of shit air wrench that the shop threw in when I bought my compressor. Problem with it is that it won't even undo the wheel nuts on my girlfriend's car, which I expect it should do fairly easily no? .

If she is any kind of classy chick, she will have a fairly hefty shifting spanner in her handbag that should back those nuts off!