Hey guys, I have an unused Craftsman electric impact wrench and I'm not sure if I should use that to loosen the screws holding the brake rotors on my car. I know that people use impact drivers for stubborn screws like the ones holding the rotors and that it works by hitting the end of the driver with a hammer which translates the applied force into torque on the screws, which helps loosens them. But can I use an impact wrench to do the same? I'm not sure because an impact wrench delivers fast hammer action vs. slow action by a manual impact driver. I'm afraid that my impact wrench would strip the screws because it'd hammer it too fast. Can anyone confirm this for me? Thanks.

Below are examples of what I'm talking about, BTW.

Sears' Impact Driver:

Sears Craftsman Impact Wrench:


Both were taken from sears.com.


Modified by F23Coupe at 4:19 PM 5/22/2005


Modified by F23Coupe at 4:19 PM 5/22/2005

 

I always use the impact driver when the screw doesnt come out and it always works.. The impact gun would work but like you said, it could strip it being that its faster.

 

ya what he said...impact wrench might too powerful for little screws.

 

Ditto. I always used the manual impact screwdriver on phillips screws on the motorcycles. The impact seats the driver head in the screw as torq is applied preventing stripout. An electric or pneumatic impact gun will just cam out of the screw and strip it.

 

The impact driver is designed to provide increased driver head seating pressre and increased torque. The impact wrench will only provide increased torque and will most likely strip the Phillips head.

Personally, I use a number 3 Phillips screwdriver and a strap wrench. I lean in with my body weight to ensure a good driver seat and then I turn with the strap wrench.

Sears strap wrench for $12.99:

 

impact driver works every time, and you don't have to adjust anything or lean into the car, just put the driver in the strew and hit it really hard, and then turn. screw then easily comes out

 

Thanks guys. Good thing to know before I strip the screws with an impact gun.

Any recommendations on what kind or brand? I'm leaning towards the cheap ones on Ebay since I really don't have a use for this tool too often other than the occasional brake rotor change. I'm asking because it's hard to find this at a hardware store; even most Sears are sold out of them.

 

you just posted up there.lo anybrand will do the job..sears. matco, snap-on..ect

 

Napa auto parts carrys the impact drivers