If you are looking for an article that can help you find the best impact wrench for changing tires, you have landed on the right page. If you have stuck in situations where you have to change a flat tire with the help of a lug wrench you already know how much time and effort is needed.
How Choosing The Best Impact Wrench For Changing Tires?
One who owns a vehicle must have proper tools to change the tire as he has to change tires even when he is on road away from his home as well as any other facility.
In such conditions an impact wrench can be the best choice for him as an electrical tool with torque can help in unfastening and fastening the lug nuts while changing tires easily.
A battery-powered cordless impact wrench can be the most useful tool for you as it will allow you to change the tire of your car effortlessly. The tips provided hereunder can help you to choose the best impact wrench for changing tires.
The Size Of Drive: The drive size of an impact wrench used for changing tires means the amount of torque it will provide you.
Some of the cordless impact wrenches can adjust the power to change its rate of torque as the torque will be higher with the higher drive size of the wrench. An impact wrench with a drive size can be the best to change tires.
Range Of Torque/ Motor Power And Adjustment: The motor of your impact wrench should be powerful enough to unscrew the bolts of your tire as it may need more power than screwing and unscrewing the nut bolts of a shelving system.
So while buying an impact wrench you should read its specifications and reviews carefully to know about the experiences of its previous users. The impact wench you choose must be able to meet your requirements by focusing on its torque.
Type Of Battery: In most of the modern cordless tools lithium-ion batteries are used because they are long-lasting and charge faster than Ni-Cad batteries.
While buying a cordless tool you should choose one which can use the batteries you are already using in your other cordless tools. It will help you in using your tools without stocking a lot of batteries.
Higher RPM: Your impact wrench will move at a faster speed if its RPM is higher. It will show the power you can expect from your tool
Handling And Weight: An impact wrench can be the best for you if its weight allows you to handle it easily for a long time and can be stored in limited space in the trunk of your car.
The weight of an impact wrench varies significantly so you should choose one that can fulfill your requirements and can be handled comfortably while changing tires of your car.
The Voltage Of Drill: The drilling power of an impact wrench can be measured in terms of voltage. Your tool can be more powerful if it needs more voltage to perform perfectly.
Though 6-12 voltage is enough to work on domestic tasks, but for changing tire its drill voltage should be 12 -18 volts. Although you can also find impact wrench with higher drill voltage i.e. 24-36 volt, but if you are buying it for changing tires then they will not suit you.
Ease Of Use And Design: Along with considering the power of your impact wrench you should also focus on its design and ease of use. Its design should be ergonomic with a comfortable grip so that you can use it easily while changing the tie of your car.
But you will have to spend some more money to buy a wrench that can be used easily due to its design.
Noise: Most of the power tools make a lot of noise while performing. But while buying an impact wrench you should choose one that makes the least noise as a noisy tool will not only disturb you but your neighbors also.
Most of the impact wrenches make a lot of hirr’ sound when operated. One can hear this noise from a faraway spot. So you should choose one that makes lesser noise than others.
Warranty: The last but not the least thing to consider while choosing the best impact wrench is the warranty offered by the company on its parts and labor on changing the defective parts. Usually, a standard warranty for two years is provided in this industry.
If it is less than the standard warranty then you should think of choosing some other brand to have peace of mind for a longer time.
Thus by following the tips discussed above can help you in buying the best impact wrench for changing tires of your car.
Now, to easy that work and save you more time we decided to create an article for you about the best impact wrench for changing tires, giving you proper description, features and overall review about the products.
The most amazing part is that these are well-researched products and all are easily available on Amazon.
So, if you want to choose the best impact wrench for changing tires, we suggest you go through the list and read on. Let us start with the list, shall we?
1. Milwaukee 2767-20 M18 Impact Wrench
This impact wrench from Milwaukee has 4.8 stars ratings on amazon and is positively reviewed by almost every customer. We can say that this is perhaps the best impact wrench for changing tires.
The most highlighting feature of this model is that it gives the user a very controlled drive while removing the fasteners.
The LED light installed in this model allows you to remove the tire in dark. Though it has many functional modes, bolt removal mode is considered best.
Features:
- LED light
- Intelligence that prevents damages and overheating.
- Red Lithium batteries.
- Different drive control modes.
- High torque impact wrench – 8.39 inches.
2. Ingersoll Rand 231C Super-Duty Air Impact Wrench
This Ingersoll Rand 231C Super-Duty Air Impact Wrench is again a very powerful tool and considered the best impact wrench for changing tires. The torque of this model is extremely high, which makes it a little bit less cheap.
Ingersoll Rand 231C is quite compact, lightweight and at the same time, it provides robust power which makes it’s motor strong. The handle of the tool is designed in such a way that the user can comfortably operate the machine and remove the tires effortlessly.
Features:
- The model is from a reliable brand.
- The size of the tool is 3.4 x 8.2 x 8.8 inches.
- Adjustable power regulator.
- Easy to control (forward and backward button)
- Twin-hammer mechanism.
3. AIRCAT 1150 Impact Wrench
This AIRCAT 1150 Impact Wrench has more than one thousand customer reviews and has been rated with 4.7 stars on Amazon. There are many reasons this model is qualified to make the list of the best impact wrench for changing tires.
First of all, we like to mention that this tool has a very high torque and intelligence that lets you allow change tires with the desired speed. Stubborn fasteners will give up easily when you have this model in your hand.
The button control of AIRCAT 1150 lets you flip the lever in reverse and forward in no time. Another highlighting trait of this tool is it does not make too much noise. The tuned exhaust system installed by AirCat suppresses the noise and lets you operate without strain.
Features:
- Very high torque.
- Comfortable in hand and quite lightweight.
- The noise level is very low.
- Durable material and comes with a 2-year warranty.
4. PORTER-CABLE PCE211Impact Wrench
This porter cable impact wrench is designed for those who are looking for the best wrench for changing tires on a decent budget. Though the price is lower, the functionality of this tool is quite robust.
It comes with a 7.5 amp motor which is appropriate for heavy-duty work. It produces 450 feet pounds of torque and comes with a rocker switch that allows forward and reverses option.
Features:
- The price is quite reasonable.
- The tool is backed by a 3-year warranty plus 1-year free service,
- 90 days money-back guarantee.
- The RPM and BPM of this model allow fast application.
- 7.5 amp motor.
5. Ingersoll Rand W7150-K1Hi-Torque Impact Wrench
This is another model by Ingersoll Rand which is available on Amazon with 4.7 stars ratings. This cordless impact wrench has a power of 780 ft.-lbs. Though the power is high, the tool weighs only 6.8 lbs.
The internal components of this Ingersoll rand w7150 impact wrench are guarded by steel-lined aluminum. This increases the durability as well. To enhance comfort and reduce vibration and fatigue, the handle of Ingersoll Rand W7150-K1 is covered with a soft-touch over-molded grip.
Features:
- It comes with one battery kit.
- The highly durable material used.
- High torque with a lightweight.
- Easy to control and operate.
6. DEWALT (DCF899HB) 20V MAX XR Impact Wrench Kit
With over one thousand reviews and 4.8-star ratings on Amazon, at number six, we have DEWALT 20V MAX for you. This DeWalt 20v max XR impact wrench kit has multiple reasons to be here on this list.
It is a lightweight cordless impact wrench to change tires quickly and also without putting too much effort. The magnesium gear case not only gives it a stunning look but also provide similar strength as the steel gearcase.
Features:
- It comes with LED light.
- The battery life is long.
- The price of the tools is comparatively low.
- Three-speed selector switch.
7. Makita XWT11SR1 18V LXT Impact Wrench Kit
This is one of the best impact wrenches for changing tires on our list. Makita XWT11SR1 is a very popular choice and consider an excellent tool for changing tires.
The brushless motor of this tool is more efficient than older types of motors and also it does not get hot which again helps the motor to last longer. The motor is electronically controlled. The tool is lightweight and very compact.
Features:
- LED light.
- Brushless motor.
- 3 different speed plus reverse auto-stop switch/mode.
- The battery life is very long.
- It weighs only 6.92 pounds.
8. Milwaukee 2754-20 – M18 Compact Impact Wrench
This Milwaukee 2754 happens to be one of the most compact impact wrenches for changing tires. It can easily deliver up to 210 ft-lbs of torque. The Power state brushless motor gives 20% more run-time than other competitors.
With unmatched power in such a compact design, Milwaukee 2754-20 M18 also has intelligence installed which prevents overheating or any chances of product damage. The output speed and power can be controlled by a 4-mode drive control switch.
Features:
- Includes a belt clip.
- Highly durable material and intelligence.
- Super lightweight (2.5 pounds)
- Friction ring design for changing the sockets quickly & easily.
- Red Lithium Batteries.
FAQ Of Best Impact Wrench for Changing Tires:
Difference Between An Impact Driver And Impact Wrench
Though by name both of these tools look-alike still, they are different in many ways. Some of the main differences in these tools are briefly discussed hereunder for your consideration.
Ease Of Use: Impact wrenches are easy and comfortable to hold and use due to their shape whereas while using an impact driver you will have to use a hammer also. Impact wrenches are easy to use and handle even by a newbie because they need very little input.
Torque Output: The impact wrenches can be used for heavy-duty tasks due to their higher torque output as compared to impact drivers. They can produce torque from 2200 lbs to even 13,000 lbs.
Efficiency: Impact wrenches can produce a larger amount of force with little input because of the higher level of efficiency of their design. The efficiency of impact drivers can vary depending upon the force applied to them.
Versatility: The package of impact drivers usually contain various types of extensions and bits which makes them more useful to handle screws of different sizes and shapes even without using an additional driver.
On the other hand, impact wrenches can work on sockets of one or two sizes because of their fixed sizes and shapes.
Usage: Impact drivers can be used in various DIY household projects due to the use of limited power and versatility. But an impact wrench can be used for heavy-duty projects like construction and automobile etc as their torque is much higher than impact drivers.
Durability: Though both impact wrenches and impact drivers are durable still impact wrenches are considered more durable than impact drivers due to their sturdy construction.
An impact wrench or air wrench is a power socket wrench tool that is created for high torque delivery as output with less exertion, energy storage to deliver to shaft output at once.
Construction projects, automotive repair, product assembly, and equipment maintenance are some examples where it is used.
Should You Use An Impact Wrench To Tighten Lug Nuts?
An impact wrench is great to loosen or tighten a lug nut. Lugnut loosens with the movement of the impact wrench. It moves slowly as the lug nut loosens, and once the lug nut is loose, the wrench moves quickly.
You should maintain caution while tightening a lug nut since it can be over-torqued with an impact wrench. This over-torque/over tightening can strip and stretch the nut threads. This is why it is essential to know how to do it right and when to cease the torque.
As an alternative, a torque wrench can be used by setting up its dial to ensure a proper tightening of the lug nut. An impact wrench can be used to snug up nuts and then employ a torque wrench after snugging to tighten them up.
Can I Use Regular Sockets With An Impact Wrench?
This is a frequently asked question, and the answer is a clear no. It would be best if you did not employ regular sockets with an impact wrench. Why so? For this, you need to understand the primary difference between an impact socket and a regular socket.
Difference Between A Regular Socket And An Impact Socket:
Material hardness and thickness of their wall are different in them. Steel material is the same for both the sockets. But, impact sockets are treated for a low hardness to heat as compared to regular sockets.
Lower hardness impact sockets are more ductile. Both the sockets can minimize wear due to forces on the impact wrench. The forces are dissipated due to an impact wrench. This is why the Impact sockets do not fail so easily.
The external diameter is larger in an impact socket to compensate for the aspect of low hardness. The wall thickness is enhanced in an impact wrench to mitigate the imparted stress over the socket.
User Safety
A regular socket can break or chip when an impact wrench is used owing to the material brittleness. To be more precise, the over-torque is not the primary issue with a socket.
It is the momentary shock of tool impact that is imparted on the regular socket that is responsible for the damage. Socket failure occurs at a point of lowest thickness. This is the weak point of a socket. It is usually at the socket corner area.
What Can Happen?
Breaking or cracking can impact the wheel if the socket is within a space or splatter away in any direction if not contained in a space, resulting in any injury.
Conclusion
These were some of the best impact wrench for changing tires available on Amazon. Though there are many products that are doing extremely fine in this industry.
The above-mentioned products have been well researched and have better customer reviews than rest and that is the reason they are qualified for the list of the best impact wrench for changing tires.
We hope you will find the most appropriate impact wrench for changing tires from the list above. Good Luck!