Torque and Chrome

Electric Impact Wrench/Gun, can you adjust torque?

My father damaged his shoulder recently which limits how much he can use his arm. He could not take off the lug nuts on his car the other day so I had to help. I would like to get him an Electric Impact gun to take off and put on his car tires. I would like 1 that is battery powered as they seem to be the better choice in terms of portability, plus we don't want a compressor. I am noticing that some of the guns are 220ft/lb to 300 ft/lb of torque. His car (Corolla) is supposed to have 76ft/lb of torque to tighten the wheel lug nuts. If I were to tighten with the impact gun, I would over tighten and possibly break the studs, right? All the torque would be fine if all you're doing is removing the lug nuts. But what about tightening them back up? Are electric impact guns adjustable to avoid over tightening? Or are they meant just to loosen? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Some are adjustable but not to the depth that you are looking for, my suggestion would be that if the lugs must be tightened with an impact gun (I hate it but hey LOADS of shops do it), then get what is known as a tourqe stick, it can be used as a guide to get closer to the right tuoqre, it makes that ratcheting sound when it is at the tourqe rated on the stick. they are not adjustable so you have to get it in the tourqe you need.
2. Impact wrenches do not allow you to adjust the torque very precisely, so yes you would most likely over torque or under torque the lugnuts. If you are going to get one I would stay away from battery powered tools, batteries don't hold up under continuous use and they get expensive fast.
3. I just bought a Snap On 18 volt cordless impact gun. Came in a nice case with a 18 volt flash light, and two batteries. I use torque sticks with it to achieve the correct torque on lug nuts, bolts, etc. It has more than enough torque to remove even rusted stuck bolts. Right around 300 ft/lbs. It spun the lug nuts right off my buddies 79 Ford backhoe. they hadn't been off in the 6 years he has owned it, plus who knows how long before that! The torque sticks come in allot of specs. Most rounded to the nearest 10 lbs. For example an 80 ft/lb stick would be fine for your application. I don't use it every day as I have air impacts as well. But it is nice when you don't have acces to air. As for batteries not holding up. For the weekend mechanic they should last a long time as long as they are kept from freezing, and charged every so often even if they are not used as much. My buddy has a Mac rechargeable, it only came with one battery, and doesn't have the power the Snap On one does.