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Old 10-09-2006, 06:54 PM   #1
Msquared
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Default Need an Impact Wrench

So i cant put in my suspension without an air compressor and an impact wrench because the nuts to the bolts that hold the strut to the lower suspension are way too tight. i snapped two torque wrenches trying to break the nuts free. My friend has an air compressor, but i still need an impact wrench. Does anybody know a place where i can rent an impact wrench in the portland area, cause i really dont feel like spending all that money to buy one, and it would be even more expensive if i took it in to a shop to have them install the suspension.

Michael
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Old 10-09-2006, 08:17 PM   #2
BSDJ
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Most auto parts stores will rent a torque wrench.

Don't know what they do if you break it, though.

PS - don't use a torque wrench to break bolts/nuts free. Only to tighten them...
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Old 10-09-2006, 08:38 PM   #3
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yea, i dont understand why you would use a torque wrench to loosen something... just use a breaker bar with a pipe extension.
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Old 10-09-2006, 11:13 PM   #4
jasonallenross
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Default if you broke two torque wrenches

you might be going the wrong direction .....

breaker bar, penetrating oil, time. Maybe some hits from a brass drift or a hammer/2x4 combo.

+1 for the breaker bar/pipe extension. But be very careful that you figure out lefty loosey/righty tightey, since the more hurt you put on the bolt head, the higher chance you will snap it. I know brake jobs always confuse me since you end up swapping twist directions and I have to think hard the first few times since I'm not wrenching all the time.
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Old 10-09-2006, 11:22 PM   #5
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...The answer is a 24 inch, 1/2" drive breaker bar.......and a 3-4 foot long piece of pipe over that....with a 6pt socket.....and slow, deliberate increase in pressure until the nut breaks loose......a small torch to heat the nut may help.

I'm ~200 pounds and have had to 'bounce' my weight on the above setup to get struts loose....they usually 'give' with a LOUD *POP*
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Old 10-10-2006, 12:14 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Msquared View Post
i snapped two torque wrenches trying to break the nuts free.
Michael
So after snapping the first torque wrench, what made you think the second one was stronger? The more logical thing to do would be to get something stronger than a torque wrench. I'm just wondering... if you had access to an unlimited supply of torque wrenchs, how many would you snap before it occurred to you that they weren't strong enough to remove the nut?
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Old 10-10-2006, 08:50 AM   #7
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Impact wrenches work really well. the good thing about those is you stand less of a chance of snapping the bolt than with a large breaker bar.

I'm not sure where you can rent an impact wrench, but if you shop around they can be found for $50 or so. If you have a HarborFreight store nearby that's a good place for cheap air tools (harborfreight.com). WalMart also has some inexpensive tools too. They're not top mechanic's grade, but they get the job done for occasional use
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Old 10-10-2006, 08:51 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STirocket View Post
So after snapping the first torque wrench, what made you think the second one was stronger? The more logical thing to do would be to get something stronger than a torque wrench. I'm just wondering... if you had access to an unlimited supply of torque wrenchs, how many would you snap before it occurred to you that they weren't strong enough to remove the nut?
Improper tool usage accounts for a GREAT MANY tools being bought, broken, and bought again....world wide.
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Old 10-10-2006, 09:05 AM   #9
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You should NEVER EVER use a torque wrench to break anything loose. It is not a breaker bar and is not designed for this purpose. They should be used for tightening ONLY. It is entirely your fault that you broke them by improper use.
Also using a torque wrench in place of a bar or standard ratchet will affect its calibration even if it doesn't break.
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Old 10-10-2006, 09:15 AM   #10
hikeeba
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As far as an impact wrench goes, I bought one of these from Harbor Freight tools before I changed my springs:


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=31877

It has served me well, and it is still going strong. I was going to plunk down $180 on a Dewalt electric impact, but at about 1/3 the price, I thought I'd give the Harbor Freight unit a whirl.There was one nut on the right rear that I couldn't loosen with the impact and PB blaster. I was able to break it loose with a $5 1/2" ratchet and a 6' x 1.5" length of black gas piping. Gradual pressure took the nut right off; no breakage of anything.
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Old 10-10-2006, 12:05 PM   #11
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I don't think you can get a socket on one of the nuts.
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Old 10-11-2006, 05:56 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leecea View Post
I don't think you can get a socket on one of the nuts.
That's why ya turn the bolt, hold the nut, for that one
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