Other Impact Wrench do I need one?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
E

EntropyUK

Well-Known Member
Posts
467
Location
Hemel Hempsted
I need some saged advice from you all. I have been thinking about buying a cordless impact wrench for some time as try to work on my own cars as much as possible. I need to change the ball joints on my P38 and every pic I have seen of someone changing the joints has included a long breaker bar and from what I have read and my luck, I think it will be a bit of a pig of a job.

So what I need is some guidance on whether an impact wrench is something I must have, I should have or would like to have? I think it would be handy on the underside as most of the bushes will possibly need changing soon as it approaches 20yrs old so lots of rusted bolts Given the cost, I am just a little apprehensive that it will become just a tool for getting the wheel nuts off quickly. One part of me thinks it will save enough visits to the garage to justify the cost but the other part of me thinks it is a bit of an indulgence.

So over to you for your views.
 
impact gun is a vital tool if you do much diy but when it comes to bushes the bush can take the impact out of the gun whereas a cv or crank nut will come undone with ease,a long bar and decent sockets and a few good tools would most likely be better spent money,if its the odd job on one vehicle
 
@EntropyUK Yes to the impact gun, once you've bought it and used it on all kinds of bolts. You'll be glad you did. Just don't get anything with ni-cad or ni-mh.. lithium Ion is expensive but very long lasting and durable. If not lithium then ni-mh is the second best.;) also the electric/corded versions are really cheap at the moment:cool:
 
Mark Piercy said:
@EntropyUK Yes to the impact gun, once you've bought it and used it on all kinds of bolts. You'll be glad you did. Just don't get anything with ni-cad or ni-mh.. lithium Ion is expensive but very long lasting and durable. If not lithium then ni-mh is the second best.;) also the electric/corded versions are really cheap at the moment:cool:
Click to expand...

Problem with these batteries is that if you don't use them a lot and they go flat then they die. And they're eff-off expensive to replace.

I've had the same yearning for a while, especially when faced with the hub nuts. Crank-bolt doesn't even bear thinking about. I'd love one but just don't think it would get enough use.

@backinblack P38 hub nut if original is 32mm and can take a normal deep socket easily. If someone has replaced it with the Britpart 36mm one then you'll need a thin-walled impact socket to get it off.
 
I would say it depends why you want one?
If it is something you fancy then why not.
If you want to undo or snap off f-tight bolts then get a big air one.
I have worked on a fair assortment of old s*** and very rarely use one.
I do own 3 air impact guns plus an air ratchet. But they are noisy and you don’t get a feel of what you are trying to move.
Also you should only use sockets that are up to the job. You can easily burst a socket and have bits flying, impact sockets tend to be a bit softer and bulkier so the don’t crack or burst. They are designed to wear rather than damage your nut/bolts.
You can easily snap things off if you buy a decent gun.
 
Grrrrrr said:
Problem with these batteries is that if you don't use them a lot and they go flat then they die. And they're eff-off expensive to replace.

I've had the same yearning for a while, especially when faced with the hub nuts. Crank-bolt doesn't even bear thinking about. I'd love one but just don't think it would get enough use.

@backinblack P38 hub nut if original is 32mm and can take a normal deep socket easily. If someone has replaced it with the Britpart 36mm one then you'll need a thin-walled impact socket to get it off.
Click to expand...
this is what you want for crank bolts
shopping
 
Grrrrrr said:
Problem with these batteries is that if you don't use them a lot and they go flat then they die. And they're eff-off expensive to replace.

I've had the same yearning for a while, especially when faced with the hub nuts. Crank-bolt doesn't even bear thinking about. I'd love one but just don't think it would get enough use.

@backinblack P38 hub nut if original is 32mm and can take a normal deep socket easily. If someone has replaced it with the Britpart 36mm one then you'll need a thin-walled impact socket to get it off.
Click to expand...

Looks a similar depth to the L322. I'd have thought there was a good chance of the socket slipping off if your hanging off the end of a strong arm.
 
JUKE179r said:
Yep. That's when a torque wrench comes in handy or having a calibrated elbow.
Click to expand...

I have a CP air impact gun i bought in the early seventies. Just stripped and refurbed it. How much of the Chinese crap around today will still have spare parts available in 50 years time?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Impact Sockets?
2
Replies
36
Views
1K
yfo866
yfo866
D
P38 in need of some love
Replies
7
Views
837
stuu
stuu
U
Norbar torque wrench calibration?
Replies
2
Views
730
Ush
U
seldom
L320 rear bushes
Replies
8
Views
367
Mark Piercy
Mark Piercy
tarphenry
P38 A corrosion
Replies
0
Views
288
tarphenry
tarphenry
Back
Top