Electric Impact Wrench
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Electric Impact Wrench
Does anyone own, or have tried, one of the electric impact wrenches from Harbor Freight? I'm looking for something to make pulling my wheels an easier process than using my trusty star wrench as arthritis and back problems are making this much more difficult than it was a few years ago. I was looking at the electric impact wrench from HF, but don't want to waste my money if it doesn't have enough oomph to remove wheel lug nuts. Also, do these have the capability to remove the 125 ft/lb. caliper bolts? Changing rotors is in my near future, and doing this with a socket and wrench doesn't work very well. TIA
#2
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Not a HF model that I use, check out a reasonabley priced electric impact from Sear - Craftsman model.
Don't recommend them for the caliper mount bolts, may not have the room inside the kncukle/wheel opening area to get the impact into proper position.
I always break those loose by hand, then use an air ratchet or hand ratchet depending upon my location when performing that work.
Don't recommend them for the caliper mount bolts, may not have the room inside the kncukle/wheel opening area to get the impact into proper position.
I always break those loose by hand, then use an air ratchet or hand ratchet depending upon my location when performing that work.
#3
Pro
That's exactly what I use mine for. Makes taking wheels of 100 times easier! I've used it to remove caliper bolts on multiple cars (when I can get it in there as it is kinda bulky). Honestly if u get it with the 20% off, its 40$ well spent. I don't think the warranty is necessary. I've had mine for over 3 years and probably do a little more than the average home mechanic.
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Yaupon (02-03-2017)
#4
Burning Brakes
I looked at those, but decided against it. I wanted a cordless setup.
I believe the cordless models from HF use Ni CAD batteries, and not lithium ion.
I purchased a DeWalt 20v cordless model on Amazon. Works great, first time I used it I was able to pull all 4 tires and shocks. I don't use it to re-tighten the lugs, for those I use a torque wrench.
Any impact wrench is going to help!
I believe the cordless models from HF use Ni CAD batteries, and not lithium ion.
I purchased a DeWalt 20v cordless model on Amazon. Works great, first time I used it I was able to pull all 4 tires and shocks. I don't use it to re-tighten the lugs, for those I use a torque wrench.
Any impact wrench is going to help!
Last edited by Exact1; 02-03-2017 at 09:48 AM.
#5
Race Car Tech
I use an electric Mastercraft 0-240 ft-lb model, and it is handy for taking wheels off or putting them on.
I always recheck the torque with a calibrated torque wrench afterwards, just to be sure.
They are usually bang on with each other.
I always recheck the torque with a calibrated torque wrench afterwards, just to be sure.
They are usually bang on with each other.
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Don't recommend them for the caliper mount bolts, may not have the room inside the kncukle/wheel opening area to get the impact into proper position.
I always break those loose by hand, then use an air ratchet or hand ratchet depending upon my location when performing that work.
I always break those loose by hand, then use an air ratchet or hand ratchet depending upon my location when performing that work.
That's exactly what I use mine for. Makes taking wheels of 100 times easier! I've used it to remove caliper bolts on multiple cars (when I can get it in there as it is kinda bulky). Honestly if u get it with the 20% off, its 40$ well spent. I don't think the warranty is necessary. I've had mine for over 3 years and probably do a little more than the average home mechanic.
#8
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Thread Starter
#9
Drifting
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Does anyone own, or have tried, one of the electric impact wrenches from Harbor Freight? I'm looking for something to make pulling my wheels an easier process than using my trusty star wrench as arthritis and back problems are making this much more difficult than it was a few years ago. I was looking at the electric impact wrench from HF, but don't want to waste my money if it doesn't have enough oomph to remove wheel lug nuts. Also, do these have the capability to remove the 125 ft/lb. caliper bolts? Changing rotors is in my near future, and doing this with a socket and wrench doesn't work very well. TIA
it works very well. You only need to buy the impact sockets that fit your lug nuts for each vehicles. Very
#10
Pro
The last time I replaced rotors was on my C5, and it took me two days of beating on a wrench with a 1 lb. sledge to break both of the caliper bolts loose. I am not going to repeat that experience on my C6 as once was one time too many, so breaking by hand is not an option.
Thank you Wayne. This is what I was hoping to hear. I'm assuming you also use a set of impact sockets; I was planning on buying a set of them when I buy the wrench?
Thank you Wayne. This is what I was hoping to hear. I'm assuming you also use a set of impact sockets; I was planning on buying a set of them when I buy the wrench?
#11
Senior Member since 1492
I have an old electric craftsman, a cordless Dewalt and a pneumatic HF earthquake. I only have confidence in the HF air. The other 2 are good for spinning bolts on & off but not so much for breaking bolts loose or tighening them. I use a 3/4 drive Sears racket for that which is about 2 ft long.
#12
I've had the harbor freight cheapy since 2009ish and if it broke I'd go right back to buy another. Honestly it's one of the top 5 best purchases from harbor freight that isn't a simple hand tool. Doesn't replace a good set of breaker bars, but does the job for most things.
I have the sockets as well. I've used this combo on everything: cars, bikes, boats, atvs.
I have the sockets as well. I've used this combo on everything: cars, bikes, boats, atvs.
#13
Race Director
I bought one about 11 years ago to use on fasteners on my Farmall 706 tractor. I've been pleased with how it works.
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
#15
Le Mans Master
I used my HF impact at the racetrack and my garage for swapping wheels for 5 or 6 years. Last year the battery wasn't holding a charge long enough to make it through a track weekend so I upgraded to a Ryobi. The newer model (P261) has 300ft-lbs of torque and will have no issues with lug nuts or caliper bolts. I even used it to take off the axle nuts on my car, which had been on since 2006.
#16
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Seems like some electric and battery tools have come a long way. Good to know.
#17
Drifting
I bought one a few years ago and it works great. Sure makes swapping wheels on my Yukon alot easier.
I recommend it
QUOTE=Corvette_Ed;1594012632]Does anyone own, or have tried, one of the electric impact wrenches from Harbor Freight? I'm looking for something to make pulling my wheels an easier process than using my trusty star wrench as arthritis and back problems are making this much more difficult than it was a few years ago. I was looking at the electric impact wrench from HF, but don't want to waste my money if it doesn't have enough oomph to remove wheel lug nuts. Also, do these have the capability to remove the 125 ft/lb. caliper bolts? Changing rotors is in my near future, and doing this with a socket and wrench doesn't work very well. TIA[/QUOTE]
I recommend it
QUOTE=Corvette_Ed;1594012632]Does anyone own, or have tried, one of the electric impact wrenches from Harbor Freight? I'm looking for something to make pulling my wheels an easier process than using my trusty star wrench as arthritis and back problems are making this much more difficult than it was a few years ago. I was looking at the electric impact wrench from HF, but don't want to waste my money if it doesn't have enough oomph to remove wheel lug nuts. Also, do these have the capability to remove the 125 ft/lb. caliper bolts? Changing rotors is in my near future, and doing this with a socket and wrench doesn't work very well. TIA[/QUOTE]
#18
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
HF 7 years old
Have had mine for 7 years. Changed a lot of brake pads and it works great. Used it on a friend's 05 to change rotors and on a 2011 GS to put 1pc pads on. It will remove the caliper bolts with a short impact socket.
#19
Tech Contributor
The last time I replaced rotors was on my C5, and it took me two days of beating on a wrench with a 1 lb. sledge to break both of the caliper bolts loose. I am not going to repeat that experience on my C6 as once was one time too many, so breaking by hand is not an option.
Thank you Wayne. This is what I was hoping to hear. I'm assuming you also use a set of impact sockets; I was planning on buying a set of them when I buy the wrench?
Thank you Wayne. This is what I was hoping to hear. I'm assuming you also use a set of impact sockets; I was planning on buying a set of them when I buy the wrench?
Regarding the original question....The cordless impact wrenches work well. I use a DeWalt at the race track, but see guys with all brands.