Impact Wrenches: Air vs. Electric

[Dolphin18T]

I'm about to install a coilover kit and I'm hesitant about starting without some power to knock off loose those inevitably seized bolts (especially the top bolt of the shock). I don't have a compressor for air tools and I'm wondering if a corded electric impact wrench would do the job. I know that pneumatic tools provide more torque and they are the best way to go, I just don't have the money or the room for a compressor setup right now. Anyone have luck with electric impact wrenches??

I'm not sure this is the right place for this, but I couldn't find anywhere else to post that seemed more appropriate.

Thanks

[317ssayzarc]

at my shop we have several different impact guns... 6 or so different air and 1 electric...

air - incredibly powerful, much more so than the electric... also the newer composite guns just dont have the same juice as the heavy old bastards... i use the old heavy ones to loosen the axle bolt to do a cv joint or to pull a wheel bearing or jobs like that, composite gun for every thing else...

electric - good for road calls or when the compressor hasnt filled up the tank yet in the morning... doesnt have nearly the juice, but is portable...

air ftw imo

[Dolphin18T]

Hmm, i suppose i'll have to rent something.

Anyone else?

[drmarcj]

How about trying some rental centers to see if they have a compressor that would be appropriate for this kind of work? You're looking at a few hundred bucks for the install so even if it's $100 for the day it'd be worth it (assuming you're not like me and can spend a whole day doing an install...)

[pondside36]

Clint and I used an Electric impact gun and it worked fine... had to break some of the bolts first.. with breaker and extension.. but still got the job done with minimal headache..

[Daddy MO]

Your only gonna need it for the front struts. I dont know if electric will get it off. I hated my B6 front suspension!!!

[wunder wagon]

get an electric impact, some good impact sockets in all the even and odd sizes and some PB Blaster. Did my entire install that way.

[Dolphin18T]

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll try to get it done with an electric wrench and use a breaker with an extension like PondSide suggested. I've always had to do suspension installs on other cars with just muscle power and its always a huge pain (especially those top bolts which require an extension for the nut and for the hex wrench).

[B6Lovin]

buy the nicest stuff you can find in the way of impact gun/sockets from lowes or home depot or w/e -- then when you're done just return it... free rental

[AudiA4_20T]

Clint and I used an Electric impact gun and it worked fine... had to break some of the bolts first.. with breaker and extension.. but still got the job done with minimal headache..

My new gun doesnt need to crack them first

I got a $70 cordless impact gun at Pep Boys and couldnt be happier... Just make sure its 200+ ftlbs

[pondside36]

^^^ Nice...so you going to try and set a coilover install record? lol

[Dolphin18T]

^^^ Nice...so you going to try and set a coilover install record? lol

Hahaha, I didn't mean to try and make it sound like I was going for record time. I'm just sick of dealing with seized nuts for hours on end. Thanks from the insight though.

[AudiA4_20T]

^^^ Nice...so you going to try and set a coilover install record? lol

I mean, I think I could pull 2 1/2 hours

[317ssayzarc]

I mean, I think I could pull 2 1/2 hours

shit, wanna do my v3's at WF

[Dolphin18T]

I mean, I think I could pull 2 1/2 hours

How much do you charge? Haha

[quattro2003]

At work I use both. If I had a choice I would choose air over electric. Air has so much more power. I would just get a little compressor from Harbor Freight (if you have one around you). I saw a couple there for $100. A good tool is always worth having.

[Gom33]

make sure you have a damn electric impact gun or air impact gun... i did my rears fine today, but could not finish my fronts due to not having either... my dumbass didn't realize i needed it, even after i read all the diy from a4mods and the one from here, lol... we had to ride with the rear low and front high, i did not want to adjust the rears since i did not want to use the spring compressors to adjust the springs, lol... tomorrow is another day and a buddy of mine is letting me borrow his impact gun...

hope all went well with your install!!!

[AudiA4_20T]

shit, wanna do my v3's at WF

B5s are different! lol

[Dolphin18T]

make sure you have a damn electric impact gun or air impact gun... i did my rears fine today, but could not finish my fronts due to not having either... my dumbass didn't realize i needed it, even after i read all the diy from a4mods and the one from here, lol... we had to ride with the rear low and front high, i did not want to adjust the rears since i did not want to use the spring compressors to adjust the springs, lol... tomorrow is another day and a buddy of mine is letting me borrow his impact gun...

hope all went well with your install!!!

Were you not able to just use a breaker with an extension? Was it the top bolt that you got stuck on?

[Gom33]

yeah, it was the top bolt... I tried to use a breaker with an extension... but the shaft was spinning with the bolt! I couild not get "enough" tourque out of it so the shaft was spinning with the bolt itself...

did you get to finish your install?

I am glad to say that the rear is TUCKED though, lol... I may have to higher it though a little, didn't think I was sitting that low, and still have .75- inch left on the perch to lower it more... but i am sitting on my stock 17s...

[Dolphin18T]

yeah, it was the top bolt... I tried to use a breaker with an extension... but the shaft was spinning with the bolt! I couild not get "enough" tourque out of it so the shaft was spinning with the bolt itself...

did you get to finish your install?

I am glad to say that the rear is TUCKED though, lol... I may have to higher it though a little, didn't think I was sitting that low, and still have .75- inch left on the perch to lower it more... but i am sitting on my stock 17s...

Did you try to put an allen key in the shaft with an extension on that? That's what I always have to do.

I haven't started yet, I've been too busy.

[Gom33]

i tried to put an allen key on the shaft... btu did not have a have a tool to get to the bolt itself after putting the allen key... its hard to explain, lol, but the upper mount surrounds the top bolt so i could not get a open wrench to the bolt, if yuo know what i mean? lol...

[Dolphin18T]

i tried to put an allen key on the shaft... btu did not have a have a tool to get to the bolt itself after putting the allen key... its hard to explain, lol, but the upper mount surrounds the top bolt so i could not get a open wrench to the bolt, if yuo know what i mean? lol...

Oh... I see what you mean. I hope the impact wrench works. Let me know how it goes.

[IceMole]

I've used a milwaukee electric with 300ft/lb before and a dewalt with 250 and they worked fine.

[Gom33]

i tried to dislodge the upper mount also, but it is stuck to the shaft itself... so i just gave up and said i would finish today...

will post pics of my drop after everything is done tonight man... wish me lyuck! lol

raphael

[Kerschera4]

dolphin i can help you out if you need any with the install. i just changed mine 3 weeks ago. i work in rookwood and live in anderson

[Gom33]

what tourque should i be using for the wheel bolts? i am running the stock 17s that came with the car... i tried to search, but did not find anything...

[akaEsCo01]

I have a corded eletric impact gun wit 240 lbs/ft torque and for a coilover installation, there is no bolt that it could not handle. I didn't have to break anything first. Make sure you get some impact sockets too, the toughest bolt will be for the rear subframe, but my gun tackled it

[mnkyA4]

What are people paying for their electric impact wrenchs? I found a Dewalt one at Sears for $200.

[Dolphin18T]

I have a corded eletric impact gun wit 240 lbs/ft torque and for a coilover installation, there is no bolt that it could not handle. I didn't have to break anything first. Make sure you get some impact sockets too, the toughest bolt will be for the rear subframe, but my gun tackled it

I'm hoping not to have to drop the subframe. Has anyone done it this way?

[Dolphin18T]

dolphin i can help you out if you need any with the install. i just changed mine 3 weeks ago. i work in rookwood and live in anderson

Awesome, I live right across the street from Rookwood

[akaEsCo01]

I'm hoping not to have to drop the subframe. Has anyone done it this way?

If you want the job done easy and painlessly, this is the way to get it done. Drop the subframe one side at a time, you can do both but if it's your first time, then I suggest doing one side at a time. The spring literally almost falls right out, you won't even need a spring compressor. This is assuming you have sport springs. For a non sport suspension, I would keep the spring compressor handy.

FYI, I got my rear done is approximately 30 minutes this way.

[Dolphin18T]

If you want the job done easy and painlessly, this is the way to get it done. Drop the subframe one side at a time, you can do both but if it's your first time, then I suggest doing one side at a time. The spring literally almost falls right out, you won't even need a spring compressor. This is assuming you have sport springs. For a non sport suspension, I would keep the spring compressor handy.

FYI, I got my rear done is approximately 30 minutes this way.

I don't have sport suspension and I'm planning to have to use spring compressors anyway. I'm hoping I can get by just using the spring compressors while I have someone stand on the hub. Think I can pry them out of there this way?

[akaEsCo01]

I don't have sport suspension and I'm planning to have to use spring compressors anyway. I'm hoping I can get by just using the spring compressors while I have someone stand on the hub. Think I can pry them out of there this way?

That's the hard way, even with someone standing on the hub on a non sport suspension it takes some hard work and sweat to get them out (I tried that my first time before I finally dropped the subframe). I can't even imagine how much worse it would be with a taller spring. You'll see what I mean when you get under there.

[Gom33]

i did not drop my subframe and did it the way dolphin mentioned... i pried them right out with me try to press on the hub... it took hard work though, lol...

its really up to you though man...

people do it either by dropping the subframe or just prying it out...


again, does anyone know what tourque to use on the wheel bolts?

[akaEsCo01]

i pried them right out with me try to press on the hub... it took hard work though, lol...

lol, I'm not surprised. Dropping the subframe requires no hard labor, impact gun takes care of the subframe bolts and the jack on the differential handles the lowering and raising. Piece of cake

[Dolphin18T]

I guess I'm just hesitant on dropping the subframe because I don't know any of the torque specs for putting it back together. Does anyone still have the torque specs for a suspension install??

[Gom33]

For those wondering what the proper torque is for all the bolts, here you go:
Originally Posted by Actlsub9
75 Nm Engine Bay Bolts (f)
40 Nm Upper Control Are Bolt
90 Nm (66 lb ft) Lower Shock Clevis Bolt (f)
60 Nm Shock Shaft Nut (f)
35 Nm Upper shock mount to body (r)
160 Nm + ¼ turn Lower shock eye to lower control arm (r)

from the DIY section from capt obvious...

[Dolphin18T]

from the DIY section from capt obvious...

Thanks

[Kerschera4]

i initally had non sport springs. i used a combo of spring compressors and i loosened the subframe bolts almost all the way off. like i said, let me know if you want any help.. its a pretty simple install when you know what youre doing