What is the best impact driver for wheel nuts? That’s a question I get asked often, and not an easy one to answer. While it’s not likely that anyone single mechanical device is best at all times, there are many products that fit the bill. Let’s take a look at the best impact driver for wheel nuts, and attempt to identify one of these mechanical devices for each job you encounter.
A quick note: I’m going to begin with the best air impact wrench for lug nuts. If you’re looking for best air impact drivers for wheel nuts, you’ll want to keep reading. In the following paragraphs, I’ll describe the best air impact wrench for lug nuts, and list some products that fit the bill. At the end, you’ll be able to review the best air impact drivers for wheel nuts.
Before reviewing the best air impact wrench for lug nuts, let’s examine the job at hand. Most people who need to change lug nuts will be doing it because they’ve gotten worn out, and the nut has come loose on one of their wheels. Either way, you’re going to be in a somewhat awkward position. You’ll have to remove the wheel off of the frame, and put it aside while you unscrew the lug nuts. This might take a little bit of your time, so is best saved for last.
The best impact driver for wheel nuts is easy to identify, as it fits into one of two basic categories. They are either compression or hydro compression, and they both accomplish the same goal, which is to increase the portability of the fastener. The hydro compression models, such as the Ryobi Impact Driver, feature an internal reservoir that stores the oil that is needed for lubricating the drive mechanism itself.
So, which one is best? That all depends upon what you’re using it for. If you need to have the best performance, you should go with the hydro compression model. The hydro compression best impact driver for wheel nuts is best suited for projects that involve large pieces, or where you’re going to be working on the engine a great deal. If you are just trying to get the nut off of the wheel and don’t have a lot of torque, then a compression model should work just fine.
One final distinction is the material from which the best impact driver for wheel nuts is made. Some of the best performers are made out of hardened, reinforced steel. These fasteners are extremely strong, but they are also more difficult to break. For this reason, they tend to last longer than some of the less durable plastic options. They also cost a bit more. The downside to this is that they can rust over time, so they might not be the best choice for those that live in a humid climate.
Another important factor to consider is whether or not you need a tool with a special tip for fastening stainless steel lug nuts. Most stainless steel drivers are not equipped with any kind of tip, as the teeth tend to be too small for the tool itself. The best impact driver for wheel nuts is one that is made from a hardened, reinforced steel, like the Ryobi Impact Driver. This special tip will allow you to easily screw on and remove lug nuts without bending the tips of your fingers.
Whether you need a lightweight tool to quickly tighten or loosen lugs on heavy duty vehicles, or whether you simply want to be able to perform basic maintenance on your vehicle, a good driver is the best way to go. Remember to take the above factors into consideration before purchasing any tool, and make sure that it will work for the job you need it for. A tool that cannot perform its duties satisfactorily will waste your time and money. And remember, it never hurts to have a few backup tools in case one fails while using the best impact driver for wheel nuts.