Top Steps for Using an Air Impact Wrench Tool

When it comes to mechanics and their tools, there are many that can be considered a ‘must-have’.  However, for any mechanic that is serious about getting the job done quickly and correctly, you will find that they all agree on one tool in general.  That tool is an impact wrench.  In fact, you can go into just about any mechanic shop and be guaranteed that they will have at least one impact wrench on a workbench somewhere.  So, what exactly is an impact wrench and would a regular person like yourself go about using one?

Impact wrenches are most commonly used to loosen up lug nuts from the tires that your cars and trucks use.  While that is going to be their most practical application, impact wrenches can also be used in just about any type of situation where there is a need for something with more torque, more commonly referred to as a high-torque situation.

Not to be confused with a similar tool that is known as an impact driver, they are going to have some very obvious differences.  The main difference between the two is that an impact driver is going to have a hex opening that is only ¼”, while your standard impact wrench is going to be able to accommodate the larger ½” inch variety of sockets, one of those sockets being the exact size required in order to take the lug nuts off of a car or truck tire.

Air Impact Wrench Popularity

Being one of the more popular tool choices in professional garages everywhere, impact wrenches are most popular for their very distinguished signature whirring sound that is made whenever they are used.  If you have ever seen any type of pit stop during an auto race, you are more than likely familiar with the sound as impact wrenches are exactly what is being used to help change the tires on the race car.

With that being said, technology has evolved the impact wrench to a much more readily available 18V version that has more than enough power to loosen just about any lug nut that has been tightened down to around 100 feet of torque.  However, even though the power and convenience of air impact wrenches have evolved, they are still a very loud tool whenever they are used.  It is due to this reason that you are going to want to make sure you practice safe garage practices and always put on the proper hearing protection whenever you are using one or are around somebody who is using one.  This is going to be especially true if you are in an enclosed area that has the potential to echo the loud noise and make it even louder.

Now that you know all about what an impact wrench is, you are probably a little curious how such a small tool can create such high amounts of torque?

When it comes to impact wrenches, they are going to get all of their immense torque from their hammering mechanism that resides within the tool and can deliver very strong and concussive blows at a very quick rate of speed.  The next time you are using an impact wrench to loosen a lug nut, be sure to pay attention to the impact wrench and you will notice that the socket that is attached to your impact wrench is actually moving very slowly while the lug nut is being loosened, but will speed up very quickly once it has become loosened.  While the high torque impact wrench is great for loosening lug nuts, you are going to want to be a little more careful if you are using the impact wrench to put them back on.  You see, when you do use an impact wrench to tighten the lug nuts on your car or tire, it is extremely easy to over-torque them, which will eventually lead to the lug nut’s threads becoming stretched or even stripped.  It is because of this that you will want to be very cautious whenever tightening the lug nuts using an impact wrench.

Conclusion

While any standard lug wrench is essentially all that you will ever require in order to loosen lug nuts and remove your car or trucks tires, if you are trying to get the job done quicker and with much more convenience for you, you are going to want to go and get yourself an impact wrench.  Plus, who can say no to pretending that they are in the pit crew at a NASCAR event?

Addison

Addison is a student of the Aust Abbottabad University of Science and Technology. He started his graduation in 2016 and graduated in 2020. I’m a professional article and blog writer, has written dozens of content on different topics and worked with professionals all over the globe. Feel free to contact me for any assistance. [email protected]