BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Wheels + Tires Sponsored by The Tire Rack
  TireRack

KEEP M3POST ALIVE BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER LINK!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-20-2009, 01:50 PM   #1
Jaijai
Banned
36
Rep
337
Posts

Drives: Alpineweiss M3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NYC

iTrader: (4)

WTB - Inpact Gun for wheel lugs

Whats the best impact gun that you guys use? easy to use and strong...portable would be nice.....need to take lugs off your wheels....
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 02:23 PM   #2
mrtm2008
Lieutenant
mrtm2008's Avatar
42
Rep
442
Posts

Drives: 08 E90 M3 Sedan
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

iTrader: (2)

Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaijai View Post
Whats the best impact gun that you guys use? easy to use and strong...portable would be nice.....need to take lugs off your wheels....
Actually best thing to get is a breaker bar and socket so you don't do any damage to your wheels. Also a torque wrench to properly install the wheels back on. This is the PROPER & safe way to not over tighten the lugs which frequently happen with impact guns. You won't need ANY air power either!

This is the right way to take your wheels off & on...Please don't let anyone tell you differently
__________________
08 E90 M3, JrzB/BB, 360 Forged 8 Mesh, H&R Springs, RPI Scoops, Eisenmann Sport Exh, VRS Lip, CF Decklid, CF Diffuser, OSS LED AE, Rear Headrest V1, '09 iDrive Controller, Euro Rear Fog, OEM BlackLine TL, MRTM Design E90 Pedals & Door Lock Studs
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 03:11 PM   #3
signes
Brigadier General
signes's Avatar
United_States
199
Rep
4,318
Posts

Drives: 991 GT3 RS
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Living at (almost...) 9k

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaijai View Post
Whats the best impact gun that you guys use? easy to use and strong...portable would be nice.....need to take lugs off your wheels....
Best one I have found is the DeWalt 18V. Will break any lug since it has over 350 lb.ft. of torque. Pick them up on eBay for a decent price, about $150 or so for the tool (kit with battery closer to $225). As others will say, you can spin the nuts back on with this but only tighten with a torque wrench.



http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...productID=6347
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 03:14 PM   #4
ScottyGams
Uber-Lee7 Member
ScottyGams's Avatar
United_States
45
Rep
1,440
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NYC

iTrader: (2)

i have horror stories of overtightened wheels because some tech just HAD to buy the best gun money could buy from the MAC salesman...
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 03:25 PM   #5
Kev
Critical Care Anesthesiologist
Kev's Avatar
Hong Kong
481
Rep
8,828
Posts

Drives: SMB F83
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (24)

Garage List
To break it, an impact gun is ok, but you need to TQ it down properly with a TQ wrench. Last thing you want are stripped bolts & hubs with your wheels flying down the highway.
__________________
kev { divinum est sedate dolorem }
"your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 04:17 PM   #6
CSWM3
Banned
58
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: White on black E92 coupe
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Midtown Manhattan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrtm2008 View Post
Actually best thing to get is a breaker bar and socket so you don't do any damage to your wheels. Also a torque wrench to properly install the wheels back on. This is the PROPER & safe way to not over tighten the lugs which frequently happen with impact guns. You won't need ANY air power either!

This is the right way to take your wheels off & on...Please don't let anyone tell you differently
Whats a breaker bar and where can you find one? This is a good thread, I am tired of going to the tireshop to swap my wheels as well....

So, is a breaker bar safer than a gun? Which one is the best torque wrench? Where can I find one other than ebay?
Appreciate 0
      01-20-2009, 11:11 PM   #7
signes
Brigadier General
signes's Avatar
United_States
199
Rep
4,318
Posts

Drives: 991 GT3 RS
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Living at (almost...) 9k

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by coldsmoothwildM3 View Post
Whats a breaker bar and where can you find one? This is a good thread, I am tired of going to the tireshop to swap my wheels as well....

So, is a breaker bar safer than a gun? Which one is the best torque wrench? Where can I find one other than ebay?
A breaker bar is essentially a long handled wrench that offer more leverage to break the bolts loose. An impact wrench does the same thing with no effort. No danger in using an impact wrench to break them loose, just don't power them on all the way with it - spin them on then tighten with a torque wrench. Can get them all at Sears, just make sure the torque wrench you buy has wheel bolt torque within its usable range.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 07:36 AM   #8
J08M3
Major General
J08M3's Avatar
United_States
285
Rep
6,007
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NEW YORK

iTrader: (8)

What if you don't have a torque wrench? Think you can just hand tighten them with the breaker bar? As long as you don't go crazy it should work good. I don't think you'll over tighten them that way like you would with an impact gun.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 10:48 AM   #9
signes
Brigadier General
signes's Avatar
United_States
199
Rep
4,318
Posts

Drives: 991 GT3 RS
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Living at (almost...) 9k

iTrader: (5)

If you don't have a torque wrench, then yes better to tighten manually than with an impact wrench... but I wouldn't recommend it.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 04:48 PM   #10
adc
Major General
United_States
2725
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: 2018 F80 M3 ED
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MD/DC

iTrader: (12)

I'm using a cheap portable impact gun from Harbor Freight that powers from the cigarette lighter (or battery terminals). Only for removal of course.

Altough there was one instance where it wasn't strong enough (tech had torqued the bolts crazily) - so I always carry the breaker bar in my trunk.

For tightening, I bought the BMW kit (from LeatherZ) which contains a torque wrench preset to the BMW spec.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 05:09 PM   #11
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Wheel tools

Quote:
Originally Posted by coldsmoothwildM3 View Post
Whats a breaker bar and where can you find one? This is a good thread, I am tired of going to the tireshop to swap my wheels as well....

So, is a breaker bar safer than a gun? Which one is the best torque wrench? Where can I find one other than ebay?
A breaker bar is sometimes needed, but usually a good cross-handled 4-ended lug wrench is fine for removal and initial tightening. It also lets you spin it once you've broken the bolt loose for quick removal. Here are a couple:

20" forged: http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...ion=Lug+Wrench

18" welded: http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...ion=Lug+Wrench

Griot's Garage has a good set of plastic sleeved lug sockets, for use with a 1/2" breaker bar: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...+socket+set.do. As far as bars go, any decent brand will do (S-K, Craftsman, Snap-On, KD, etc.).

For torque wrenches, get a 1/2" click-type of good quality. Tool Warehouse has the Precision Instruments brand. The 40-250 ft lb is a good flexible one and will last your liftime: http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW355.html
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 05:24 PM   #12
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by signes View Post
Best one I have found is the DeWalt 18V. Will break any lug since it has over 350 lb.ft. of torque. Pick them up on eBay for a decent price, about $150 or so for the tool (kit with battery closer to $225). As others will say, you can spin the nuts back on with this but only tighten with a torque wrench.
The 18V Dewalt is rated at 300 ft lb. They also have a 36V that is rated at 325 ft lb. Milwaukee has a LiIon 28V that is also rated at 325. These latter are pretty expensive for occasional use. There are corded electric options that are less expensive.
__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 05:26 PM   #13
consolidated
Lieutenant Colonel
consolidated's Avatar
205
Rep
1,864
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Texas

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
I use a Makita 18V LXT lithium cordless impact wrench at the track and finish with a torque wrench. The LXT is small and light and has enough torque to do the job.
At home I use a Ingersoll Rand 1/2" impact wrench with a titanium body, it's small and lightweight but has buckets of torque. Both are great tools.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 05:36 PM   #14
signes
Brigadier General
signes's Avatar
United_States
199
Rep
4,318
Posts

Drives: 991 GT3 RS
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Living at (almost...) 9k

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
The 18V Dewalt is rated at 300 ft lb. They also have a 36V that is rated at 325 ft lb. Milwaukee has a LiIon 28V that is also rated at 325. These latter are pretty expensive for occasional use. There are corded electric options that are less expensive.
Right you are on the DeWalt, my bad. Still gobs of power in my experience.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 08:06 PM   #15
808MGuy
Colonel
808MGuy's Avatar
218
Rep
2,339
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 M3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oahu, Hawaii

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
Griot's Garage has a good set of plastic sleeved lug sockets, for use with a 1/2" breaker bar: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...+socket+set.do.
I got those exact same impact sockets from Harbor Frieght for $20. Looks like now they have a different one that's more expensive but it's still cheaper than Griots.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94421
__________________
2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2009, 09:29 PM   #16
GregW / Oregon
Commander-In-Chief
2067
Rep
8,898
Posts

Drives: 2023 M2 Coupe, 2020 GLE 450
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lake Oswego, OR

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Lug sockets

Quote:
Originally Posted by HIS4 View Post
I got those exact same impact sockets from Harbor Frieght for $20. Looks like now they have a different one that's more expensive but it's still cheaper than Griots.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94421
How can you say exactly the same? Those are steel, GG's are aluminum. They look nothing alike. Undoubtedly HF's are Chinese made. Just like knock off wheels look similar to originals, quality varies widely.

That being said, they are probably just fine, and probably a good value. But, they are not the same.



__________________

Greg Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
2023 M2 Coupe - Brooklyn Grey/Cognac/CF, 6MT; 2020 MB GLE 450
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2009, 03:05 AM   #17
808MGuy
Colonel
808MGuy's Avatar
218
Rep
2,339
Posts

Drives: 2009 E90 M3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oahu, Hawaii

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon View Post
How can you say exactly the same? Those are steel, GG's are aluminum. They look nothing alike. Undoubtedly HF's are Chinese made. Just like knock off wheels look similar to originals, quality varies widely.

That being said, they are probably just fine, and probably a good value. But, they are not the same.



IME, everything from Griots is overpriced and available somewhere else much cheaper. I've used the sockets I have with an impact gun and they did just fine so I'm sure they're ok. You shouldn't be using enough torque on a wheel lug to break an impact socket anyway. If you are, they were either overtightened the last time they were put on or cross-threaded really bad.
__________________
2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST