Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

[Chris H.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

As a side note, I put anti-seize on all my wheel studs and lug nut mating surfaces. Makes loosening the lug nuts easier , especially after typical tire store blast them on at 1000 ft-lbs.

[Michael G.]

[Terry D.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

I agree with Ed, Triple A is the answer if you have back problems, or even if you don't. Why take the risk?

[Gary C.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Appreciate everyone's input. FWIW, AAA isn't permitted on Toll Roads in Texas.

Searched for hi torque impact wrenches and came across this Home Depot Rigid Hi Torque 18V Cordless Kit Promo Sale and ordered it.

Little know factoid - if you register Rigid cordless tools after purchasing with Home Depot, there's "free" lifetime battery replacement.

And learned something new and ordered 3 - Corvette Central Wheel Mounting Lug Guide so no more struggling mounting the ZR-1 wheels.

Boy Scout motto - be prepared and hope you never have to use it. Thanks again for info sharing.

Gary
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[Mark L.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Gary,
I purchased a VTEK 1/2 with a published 515 ft-lb torque. I'm not sure it really has that value but it has done a great job so far. One of the best tools I ever purchased. Much better than dragging the air hose around the garage and ready to travel. Pricing is $110 on Amazon.

[Gary C.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

thanks Mark

[Joe M.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Gary

Second: one of the inexpensive Harbor Freight 1/2" breaker bars with a "deep socket".

Might also consider a (pair of?) wheel mounting alignment pin. Pin screws on lug stud and is an aid sliding wheel/tire into position.

https://www.amazon.com/1984-2017-Cor.../dp/B06XG2D9CC

Dave

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Will these fit a C2????? Never saw them before and it would save an old man a lot of back breaking

[Tim G.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Gary, I remember that you told me about this incident. Until you see the pictures of the damage it's hard to comprehend the how bad this really was. I'm glad it all worked out.

[David H.]

Re: Torque Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Will these fit a C2????? Never saw them before and it would save an old man a lot of back breaking

Joe

Only seen them for C4 and later. Purchased mine at Carlisle some years back - weren't in catalogs (that I kew of) then.

Dave

[Mark E.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Will these fit a C2????? Never saw them before and it would save an old man a lot of back breaking

I'd like these for my older cars too. Aligning a wheel onto the hub is awkward.

Gary: Regarding AAA not allowed on Texas tollways- I would never get out of the car, most of these (I live close to the Dallas North Tollway and the Bush Expressway) have a narrow shoulder. Best to call for a tow, or take the next exit and buy a new wheel.

[James W.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Just searched the Home Depot sight for the Rigid 18V impact. How come if you order it with two batteries it's cheaper ($229) than if you just want one battery ($363)?

Just wondering.

James

Appreciate everyone's input. FWIW, AAA isn't permitted on Toll Roads in Texas.

Searched for hi torque impact wrenches and came across this Home Depot Rigid Hi Torque 18V Cordless Kit Promo Sale and ordered it.

Little know factoid - if you register Rigid cordless tools after purchasing with Home Depot, there's "free" lifetime battery replacement.

And learned something new and ordered 3 - Corvette Central Wheel Mounting Lug Guide so no more struggling mounting the ZR-1 wheels.

Boy Scout motto - be prepared and hope you never have to use it. Thanks again for info sharing.

Gary
....

[Mark E.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Just searched the Home Depot sight for the Rigid 18V impact. How come if you order it with two batteries it's cheaper ($229) than if you just want one battery ($363)?

Just wondering.

James

The wrench with two batteries is on sale; the one with one battery isn't. HD probably ordered a shipping container full of these.

[Duke W.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

For the first in my life I had to change a tire on the road about a month ago. I've had punctures over the years, but managed to get home, remove the tire and take it to a tire store for repair.

This happened late last year on my '88 MBZ 190E 2.6, and, with one exception, I had never used the jack and tools before. The wrench wasn't that big, but I had no problem loosening the bolts. The secret is probably that I always use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts or nuts to OEM spec, If I need new tires mounted or repaired I remove the wheels myself at home and take everything to the tire shop for mounting and balancing in another vehicle.

Tire shops consistently over-torque wheel fasteners with impact wrenches that usually mar the fasteners, too.

The Merc uses bolts, not nuts on studs to mount the wheels. Over the years if I needed to remove the wheels for maintenance I never had a problem getting the wheel over the hub, lining up the holes, holding the wheel in place with one hand and starting at least one bolt with the other hand, but last year when installing the wheels after a brake fluid flush I could not do the above due to loss of shoulder strength.

I recalled that the tool kit had a stud that you install into the hub thread, then you can hang the tire on the stud and get the bolts started. I had never used in before, but I tip my hat to the Mercedes engineers that anticipated by loss of shoulder strength 35 years down the road.

I recommend you acquire a 1/2" breaker bar and a 2-3 foot appropriate ID length of steel pipe to make an extension that gives you at least 3 feet of leverage.

Also, if you have to take any vehicle to a tire shop, bring your torque wrench with a short extension and appropriate size socket and INSIST that they torque fasteners to the setting you dial in.

I also recommend coating the wheel studs/bolts with anti-seize compound, and also on the mating surfaced of the fasteners and wheel. Have you ever heard "squeaking" as you torqued a wheel fastener? That's the sound of the steel screaming in agony due to the galling pain. Anti-seize will eliminate the pain and allow the fastener to smoothly come up to torque and the final value will be much more consistent than if the threads are dry.

Duke

[Mark E.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Duke,
I thought I was the only obsessive car guy who took unmounted wheels to the shop to avoid their R&R.
My wife thinks it's nutty.

[Gary C.]

Re: Impact Wrench - Battery Powered for Emergency Use

Feedback Report on my purchase of Home Depot Rigid Hi Torque 18V Cordless Kit Promo Sale

Ordered Monday and it arrived yesterday.

Tested on my 2017 Chevy pickup 140 lbs lug nut and 1992 ZR-1 100 lbs lug nut.

Removed and reinstalled with ease. Verified tightness with torque wrench.

Am satisfied with my purchase.

Now to register the tool and batteries with Home Depot for free life time battery replacement.

Gary
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