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Advice wanted on HF impact wrench purchase

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steveg

steveg

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I finally have a compressor that will run an impact wrench. I'd like one that will remove the front crankshaft nut.

Am looking at the bewildering variety of air wrenches in the HF catalog and would like some experience-based guidance.

How many Ft Lbs do I need for the front nut? Was unable to find a torque value for it.
 
Forget the air impact and just buy a 1/2” milwaukee battery impact instead .
These impact wrenches far outdo anything my air impact can .
 
Well steveg

I might suggest that an electric powered Impact wrench is a better choice than an air powered one, whether it is rechargeable
or 120 / 240 volts AC IS INDIVIDUAL CHOICE .

BUT mop THEY ARE JUST SO MUCH MORE ADAPTABLE THAN THE AIR POWERED DEVICES.--just A THOUGHT


I am not at my shop and I am heading out of town, But I vaguely think it is 750 ft. / Lbs.

However. It will remove the crank nut in a split second.
 
Last edited:
steveg said:
... How many Ft Lbs do I need for the front nut? ...
Click to expand...

All of them.

I got HF's 3/4" wrench, but couldn't find an impact socket in the right size so used a regular socket (carefully). The problem is getting at the nut with the cross bracket (not the right word, I know), even with the engine raised. IIRC, there are some 'compact' wrenches, but don't recall if I got one. Of course, if the engine's on the bench or stand, no problemo.
 
Steve, I have the HF Earthquake 1" impact and it is not stronger than my battery powered Dewalt. In fact, I have not had it out for years now. Always using the battery version.
Jerry
 
steveg said:
Thank you everyone for the advice. Will consider the electrics, too.

Some advertise "2 inch anvil" - what does that do?
Click to expand...

Steve,

AFAIK, the "anvil" is the part of the wrench to which the socket attaches. You probably mean 1/2" anvil, otherwise you're shopping in the battleship tools department. I just bought this Rigid 18volt cordless unithttps://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...ch-Tool-Only-with-Belt-Clip-R86011B/301996008 It's very highly rated and it seems to have the juice on rusted lug nuts, anyway. Shop around and get it as part of a set with other tools, batteries and charger and you'll save a lot of money over just buying it individually with battery and charger.
 
Because of the cross member issue I tried breaker bars, then breaker bars with two foot pipe extensions with no luck. I ended up buying a large combination wrench, with the box end on the nut and my WW hammer whacking the other end it loosened with a few blows. The breaker bars, even the high quality ones, have some flex in them, the wider cross section of the big wrench, not so much, so force of the hammer blows times leverage go directly to the nut.

I would like to get a good electric wratchet and impact wrench, I have had air tools for years and just never got in the habit of using them much, my compressor is too noisy so I have to fire it up, with attendant noise, anytime I want to use them.
 
Probably 2" long, not 2 inches wide.......The anvil is called that because that is what gets hit by the spinning hammer inside. When you see how these things work it's amazing they last through more than a few uses at all.
 
I bought a plug-in Sears Craftsman impact wrench, which I mostly use on lug nuts when changing over to/from winter wheels on non-Healey vehicles. Works great. I was tempted to get a battery powered tool but wanted to avoid yet another battery to recharge and eventually replace. And since I only use it in the garage, there are outlets conveniently located.
 
Harbor Freight electric 1/2 inch impact worked fine to remove my crankshaft nut. About $40. Took several seconds. I bought the impact socket from ebay. 1 11/16". And a socket for the camshaft nut, 1 5/16".
Good luck.
Douglas
 
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