Changing a wheel cheaply - big breaker bar vs cordless impact wrench?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by PermanentTourist, Jun 28, 2021.

  1. PermanentTourist

    PermanentTourist Heavy Load Member

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    I need to switch a drive wheel from my parts truck to my road truck (one tire is going bad prematurely). I'm not ready to invest in air tools right now. What are my options for getting the lug nuts loose?

    I was considering getting an impact wrench for my 18 volt Ryobi collection, but the strongest one they have is 300 lb/ft torque and I was told the nuts are sitting at 475 lb/ft. Has anybody had any luck with using something similar?

    Another option is to just get a great big breaker bar. Would that work?

    Not too worried about correct torquing, I have a TA 10 miles away that I will go to for proper torquing with their ridiculous $1000 torque wrench.
     
    austinmike Thanks this.
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  3. Snailexpress

    Snailexpress Road Train Member

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    Roger McG and PermanentTourist Thank this.
  4. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Anything is possible with enough leverage. Put your back into it son.
     
  5. PermanentTourist

    PermanentTourist Heavy Load Member

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  6. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    Get one of those fancy 3/4 drive Milwaukee impacts, 450 bucks with a good sized battery and they'll take the lug nuts off anything you want. Be careful putting them back on with it though.
     
  7. PermanentTourist

    PermanentTourist Heavy Load Member

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    That's a bit steep, for that price I can get a cheapo compressor and air impact from Harbor Freight...

    Also, I kind of want to stick to the same tool family and I'm already deep into a Ryobi collection. I wish they had a strong impact drill like that.
     
  8. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Breakaway torque ratings are not accurate. They can basically claim anything. Not to be trusted. Definitely not accurate for tightening. Actual tightening torque is roughly half the advertised breakaway torque, at best. More like 1/3.
     
  9. RocketScott

    RocketScott Medium Load Member

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    +1 on the torque multiplier

    I had a big impact wrench but my compressor was barely able to run it
     
    PermanentTourist Thanks this.
  10. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    breaker bars have a propensity to break, or slip off the nuts.

    sockets, attached to them, have a propensity to shatter.

    best to use an impact wrench, this way, both feet are on the ground
     
  11. PermanentTourist

    PermanentTourist Heavy Load Member

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    Of course. I wasn't gonna use all that for getting the lug nuts off. I just wanted something that at least approximates the correct torque when I tighten them after switching the wheels.
     
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