New technology is always bringing stronger and stronger impact drivers. I had this question myself, as I own Milwaukee m18 impact driver and had always wondered if it would remove lug nuts. I did some research and I tried myself on both my full-size e350 van and my compact Chevy Volt.
Here is what I found about using an impact driver to remove lug nuts:
The short answer is that the newest Cordless Milwaukee Fuel (Brushless) impact driver can, probably, remove lug nuts on a compact car (80 ft-lbs) if the conditions are right. However, there are many times an impact driver will not be able to break lug nuts loose. For example, if there is any rust, you’re working on a truck where the lug nuts are torqued to 100+ ft lbs, or the battery isn’t fully charged.
For those reasons, while you may be surprised how much power these new impact drivers have, they are not made for removing lug nuts and you should not use them for high-torqued bolts and nuts. By removing lug nuts, again and again, using an impact driver, a tool made to drive screws for construction, you will end up overheating the tool and causing early damage. The correct tool to remove lug nuts is called an impact wrench or impact gun, and they make plenty of cordless impact guns that are beasts at removing lug nuts in 2018/2019.
Table of Contents
First, the difference between cordless impact drivers and drills:
- Impact Drivers are usually used for construction and driving screws, drilling, and other construction oriented work. They are great to have as a mechanic, for quickly removing smaller fasteners much faster than using an impact ratchet. They also work great when you need to drill things out (thermostats, wire wheels, etc etc).
- Impact drivers use concussive force to help drive stubborn bolts/remove fasteners. You can know if it is an impact driver if when you drive a screw you hear a loud “tat-tat-tat” sound.
- Here is the difference in looks between a drill and an impact driver. They are typically sold in a kit that includes both, which is an awesome buy. I highly recommend having both an impact driver and a regular drill kit, which should also include batteries and a charger.
Second, Cordless Impact Wrenches (Guns) Vs. Impact Ratchets
You may be wondering what the correct terminology for certain cordless tools are. I know I was confused when I first started buying cordless tools, so I hope this helps.
Since we now know what an impact driver and drill are. We need to know the difference between impact wrenches vs. impact ratchets.
Here are what impact ratchets look like:
Impact ratchets are made to fit in tight spots, give you some breakaway torque, and are copies of the air tools many mechanics use all the time (air impact ratchets). Mechanics have grown to love the cordless impact ratchets that Milwaukee offers, especially the 3/8″ and 1/4″ Fuel models. I found some awesome deals on Amazon and I highly recommend this m12 1/4″ Impact Ratchet Fuel kit here
.
Impact ratchets are not made to remove lug nuts or anything with torque values typically above the 30-50 ft-lbs mark. Once again, these tools are made to make your life easier when removing smaller and less torqued fasteners. Impact guns and impact wrenches are what are made to remove lug nuts.
Here are what impact guns/wrenches look like:
Impact Wrenches/Impact Guns are Made for Removing Lug Nuts:
Unlike everything else listed here, when you are shopping for the best tool for removing lug nuts you really only want to be looking at impact guns and wrenches that have at least 200-300 ft-lbs of breakaway torque power. Anything less and you may find you will be struggling to remove stubborn lug nuts.
Most lug nuts are only torqued to around 80 ft-lbs on cars, and around 100-130 on mid to full sized trucks. However, oftentimes lug nuts get exposed to cold and hot conditions, moisture, and are prime candidates for freezing with rust. Also, many technicians overtighten lug nuts because they do not use a torque wrench to tighten them down in the first place.
I highly recommend having in your cordless tool arsenal a high-torque impact wrench. I own the Milwaukee m18 Fuel 1/2″ Impact, and I found an awesome deal on it on Amazon right now here
. You can also read my post about which Milwaukee 1/2″ is the best to buy here.
One thing is certain, the high-torque impact wrenches/guns that Milwaukee offers are the most loved by professional mechanics out of every brand. They also are beasts at removing hugely torqued on and rusted fasteners. They can compete with many air tools, and are quickly becoming the tool of choice. So, if you’re shopping for tools in 2019, stick with cordless first!
Conclusion:
Because I want to be truthful, yes an impact driver can sometimes remove lug nuts. Just like this video shows here:
Does that mean you should use an impact driver for lug nuts? Heck no. And definitely do not rely on one, you will be dissapointed and it will be nobodys fault but your own for buying the wrong tool.
You can, however, break those lug nuts loose first with a breaker bar then remove them with the impact driver. That is totally acceptable, just much slower than simply using an impact wrench/gun designed for the job first. Just look at how fast the impact guns run through difficult lug nuts.
How do you feel about what are the coolest ten car repair tools? I asked a ton of professional mechanics and made up this list of my favorite top ten cool automotive tools. What do you think?
