Air tool for lug nuts
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Air tool for lug nuts
I'd like to get an air wrench to use for removing and installing wheel lug nuts. What wrench would you recomend? I'd probably only use it a few times a year. How do you go about adjusting an air wrench to get the proper application torque? I know nothing about air tools so any advice would be appreciated.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 215
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by gregj
I'd like to get an air wrench to use for removing and installing wheel lug nuts. What wrench would you recomend? I'd probably only use it a few times a year. How do you go about adjusting an air wrench to get the proper application torque? I know nothing about air tools so any advice would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
I have an import cheapie impact that would not always do the job of getting the nuts off. I got an IR 2131Q that is a dream. Last time I used it, it took a bit longer to get the nuts off. I found out my compressor had tripped off and was down to 50psi. Half air pressure and still working. I was impressed.
To put the lug nuts on I set the impact to the lowest setting and finish with a torque wrench. You could also get a set of torque limiting bars to use with the impact.
To put the lug nuts on I set the impact to the lowest setting and finish with a torque wrench. You could also get a set of torque limiting bars to use with the impact.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Originally Posted by midlf
To put the lug nuts on I set the impact to the lowest setting and finish with a torque wrench. You could also get a set of torque limiting bars to use with the impact.
Don
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2001
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I never use an air wrench on my lug nuts. I've had tire shops snap lugs off on two separate occasions and then try to blame me for cross threading with my tire iron (and these guns 
). In both occasions, the tire shop was the last one to touch the lug nuts.
). In both occasions, the tire shop was the last one to touch the lug nuts.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I use an impact wrench when I have one available and a click type torque wrench to finish them off. Always start the lug nuts by hand. Just show the tire shop the work invoice and have them replace the studs at their expense.
I had an Isuzu Trooper 15 years ago and the only way to remove those lug nuts was with an impact wrench. They were locking nuts with interference fit threads. Removing them by hand was WORK!
I had an Isuzu Trooper 15 years ago and the only way to remove those lug nuts was with an impact wrench. They were locking nuts with interference fit threads. Removing them by hand was WORK!
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2001
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I compromised with them and paid for the parts (like $3-5). For some reason they snapped 3 lugs on two separate visits on the same wheel. They put the lugs in for free. I wasn't going to pay them $20 to put a lug in. I can do that at home. Except I never snap them off!
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Elder User
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Oddly enough, I have an impact wrench, but rarely use it on the wheels. I use a breaker-bar to loosen, a star wrench to spin 'em off and on, and a clicker to tighten them. Doesn't really take long enough to justify hauling out the air hose and turning on the compressor (loud). If I had a better compressor and an auto-retracting hose... maybe... or better yet, one of those new cordless impact guns... Granted, I'll probably change my tune if/when I get a truck with 8-lug wheels... 
