Is this impact driver useful for wheel bolts?

[Jimmy Recard]

I suspect not, but thought I’d ask. I got this set for Christmas and I’ve used the drill plenty, but I’d like to find a use for the driver

[Jimmy Recard]

[Jimmy Recard]

Thanks guys, this clarifies things

[Jimmy Recard]

Sump said:

You will need a 1/2" bit adapter which will make you lose all the torque anyway. A decent branded version impact driver like that would barely be good enough.

Are you on about putting them on or removing them?

I have a 1/2” impact adapter, and that’s what I assumed.

I think setting 1 to spin them on and a torque wrench to get them right is still my option then! I’m just trying to find something to use it for

[Jimmy Recard]

Nanook said:

Well, it'll take them off.

Personally, I'll always use a torque wrench to put my wheels back on, but you 'd probably be fine using 'setting 1' to put them back on, then torque them up properly. TBH I just use my drill with an appropriate bit and socket to take them off and put them on after I've used a breaker bar to crack them, and before I use a torque wrench to torque them.

Thanks, this is what I’ll do then

[Jimmy Recard]

kambites said:

You'd need an adapter and it's unlikely to have enough torque to be much use as an impact wrench anyway.

To put that 250Nm into perspective, my relatively cheap impact wrench is rated at 680Nm.

Edited by kambites on Saturday 17th February 12:05

Yeah, i assumed it would be slightly feeble!

[Jimmy Recard]

Willy Nilly said:

I have a Makita DTW1002 which has 1050nm of tightening torque and 1600 of loosen torque. It's a monster.

For doing the odd car wheel nut, just use a 1/2 inch drive socket set.

That’s what I do already, so I’ll just continue.

Eventually I’ll find a use for it

[Jimmy Recard]

alabbasi said:

In that case, he should probably get something bigger.

I'm thinking something like this would be more suitable:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kielder-KWT-002-06-18V-...

[Jimmy Recard]

Willy Nilly said:

You can't have too many tools, just in this instance it's not the correct tool for the job. The only thing you can sensibly do is buy a big mutha like mine, which you may not need and is far too power full for car wheel nuts. This will mean you will have to treat yourself to a nice, new, fancy 1/2 inch drive socket set. You might as well chuck a breaker bar in too and you'll need a torque wrench to tighten up the bolts with. This will also present you with some storage issues, so you'll have to, almost by law, go out and buy your self a nice tool chest. This chest will have some empty draws which will need to be filled with new tools that you never knew you needed but can now longer manage without.

No need to thank me.

You're so right

[Jimmy Recard]

JonChalk said:

Still useful though. Here's how I use mine on:

Loosen bolts slightly with extendable wrench and quality socket.
Undo and spin out with impact driver
Take wheel off / put back on again.
Spin up with impact driver.
Do up with proper torque wrench (usually only about 1/8 to 1/4 turn from impact driver finish)

Still saves a lot of time if you're doing all 4 wheels.

I think that's what I'll do until I can justify buying a decent torque wrench. This is what I've got my eye on at the moment, since I've spent the afternoon reading about the topic:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kielder-18V-Brushless-I...

Although I kind of want to get a nice set of matching Makita/Milwaukee power tools so I can share batteries and chargers between them

[Jimmy Recard]

alabbasi said:

Jimmy, if you already have power tools, buy the brand that shares the same batteries and chargers that you already own. You'll save money in the long run.

That's my thinking, but the power tools I have are either knackered old NiCD batteries or this Aldi Workzone set, so I think I'll just have to choose a new brand to stick with

[Jimmy Recard]

Update:

I mentioned to someone that I was thinking of getting one, he mentioned he had one he no longer used. We discussed a nice price and here it is:


So now the only logical thing to do is spend a few grand on loads of Makita stuff

ETA, it's this one but scuffed up. So far the 400nm has been totally fine for wheel bolts:
https://www.toolstop.co.uk/makita-dtw285z-18v-cord...

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Saturday 24th February 12:59