I know Tom (moderator) recently posted a great axle swap tutorial but I thought I'd mention this to people who are thinking of doing an axle swap or engine swap and don't have access to air tools. Use this:

It's a Craftsman Impact driver

You can use it with your sockets or the supplied phillips screw tips.
The Technical EG related info:
I just got finished completing a weekend engine swap on a 95 Civic LX. No Hybrid stuff, just a blown USDM D15B replaced with a used JDM D15B. Overall it went pretty smooth as we were able to use the impact tool to not only remove the disc rotor retaining screws but also the 32mm axle nuts. We tried removing these stubborn nuts with regular hand tools with no sucess. Then, with just a couple of whacks with a hammer to the impact tool and they loosned right up. We also used a cheap Harbor Freight 'tie rod puller' to easily loosen the lower balljoints. Anyways, if you're planing an axle swap, engine swap or disc rotor swap and don't have access to air tools, try this impact tool out.





[Modified by emr88, 8:31 PM 3/2/2003]

 

lower ball-joints can also be removed with a lil redneck mechanicary *spelling?*..

place a 1/2 drive ratchet in btwn the LCA and balljoint, jack up from disc, and then lower jack. Works nicely and it only took a few tries to figure it out.

 

just use a breaker bar (big *** pipe)

 

that thing works great for the set screws for your rotors

 

i got one of those too, had to get one to take out my rotor retaining screws. 8 bucks.

 

definatly, im not sure if there is any other way to get those philips out w/out stripping them.




[Modified by euclid, 2:00 AM 3/3/2003]

 

That impact is well worth it's weight in gold. Axle jobs just go smoother w/ al the right parts

 

Pulled the 32mm axle nuts off my Eg the other day. Using a wrench / socket combo and good ol' elbow grease. Since we do not have an adapter to get the 32mm socket onto the impact gun

Reminds me: **pick up socket adapter today

 

I just use a big *** bar for the axle nut.

 

i have one of those impact drivers too i have broken 4 of the bits. They are warranted forever but it's still a pain to go exchange them. It works good wehn the screws aren't to tight but if they are tight then the weak quality shoes through

jesse

 

Those things really do work well on rotor screws I was damn stuck for like an hour trying to replace my rotors cause nothing would get the screws out....I went to my friends shop and borrowed his impact driver, couple whacks and BAM, screw came right out I have never tried it on an axle nut before, but that might be worth buying it just to see if it really does work that well...

 

for the axle nut, just use a 32 mm socket with a breaker bar, and have someone slip a thick flathead screwdriver through 2 rotor bolts that will secure the rotor will loosening the axle bolt.....and some elbow grease......and on the screws for the rotors....if you don't have impacts take a phillips screwdriver and take a vise to snap on the the handle of the screwdriver.....then hammer the screwdriver in the screws to get a snug fit and turn........(note) the vise is used so you wont have an injury....




[Modified by civicrtype2, 6:34 PM 3/3/2003]

 

We tried that for the axle nuts. We even tried standing on the breaker bar while having a crow (sp?) bar wedged between two of the studs and it wouldn't budge. After we tried that for a while, we decided to try the impact tool we had used on the rotor retaining screws and within a minute we had loosened the axle nuts.





[Modified by emr88, 11:15 AM 3/3/2003]

 

I used a breaker bar with a stop sign pole slipped over it. Dont ask where we got it

 

How do you use an impact driver? Do you push down then hammer?

 

impact driver...hmm thats new..gotta try it today at work.

 

place a 1/2 drive ratchet in btwn the LCA and balljoint, jack up from disc, and then lower jack. Works nicely and it only took a few tries to figure it out.[/QUOTE]

If you decide to do this be very careful, when we were installing my friends tein springs it was impossible to remove the bolt in the rear control arm. I did the same thing and at first it seemed that it was working but by the second turn of the rachet the head of the bolt snaped clear off. Sorry man

 

Another way to hold the rotor is to slide a screwdriver down into one of the grooves in the rotor, and let the caliper hold it still for you, worked for me plenty of times!

 

I went and bought a craftsman 32mm impact socket put it on a big *** air impact and a beast air compressor with plenty of power.

I still never got that ****** bolt loose even after a 3 foot breaker bar and a pipe on it with two people the thing never came loose

I ended up just undoing the whole assembly and swinging it out enough to pull the axles out of the trans. it sucked ***

 

yeah thats what i did....except i broke a few ratchets doin it like that...and even a breaker bar...i think its permantly on there for good...

 

i just use a mallet or sledge hammer from the swap meet (less n $5) . works great on them rotor screws

 

I just use good old AIR.

 

i think i got ya beat. we broke 2 rachets and 2 breaker bars. finally used some air, didn't budge it but loosened it enough to use our last 1/2 rachet to get it off. thank god.

i think i might run out and purchase an impact driver for use with that nut.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lsvinny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just use good old AIR. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i would LOVE to have that compressor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Peagreenhatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just use a breaker bar (big *** pipe)</TD></TR></TABLE>

best tool in the garage.