Need Input on Impact Wrench for Car Maintenance

Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 17:33
Last edited 15/05/2025 - 19:59

Hi, I'm in the market for an electric impact wrench.

I don't need it to be superpowerful, as long as I can take off wheel lug nuts and brake caliper bots easily, I'm happy.

Since I have some Ryobi batteries, I'm looking at this 1/2" compact impact wrench. I really like the size of it.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-hp-4-mode-brushles…

Anyone who's had experience with this tool, will it meet my needs? Also a bonus question, does this have any chance on the axle nuts on a Honda Civic? The axle nuts aren't very tight, i think it's about 200nm or thereabout, but I don't really trust the advertised torque number…

Or are there similar but better options out there?

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's input. I learned quite a bit. I finally took the plunge and bought the above ryobi compact impact wrench. It looks good so far. It's so light and compact. It can easily take off a lug nut that's torqued to 150nm with about 0.5 sec of hammering on the most powerful mode (mode 3). On auto mode, it takes just slightly longer (almost negligible) to break loose a 150nm nut, but auto mode automatically cuts off power when the nut is completely loose so it won't keep spinning into the socket. I really like the auto mode.
I will try it on the axle nut just to test its power on the weekend.
I also learned today the impact driver that I use to drive screws, Aldi's Workzone Titanium+ brushless, can loosen a 150nm lug nut with an adapter and a deep 3/8" drive socket. It needs about 4-5 seconds of hammering but can be done consistently. I was pleasantly surprised.

Automotive Impact Wrench Power Tool

Comments

  • MS Paint on 14/05/2025 - 18:07
    +3

    Use a breaker bar and normal ratchet after you crack the nut.

    200nm is tight by my standards and the cheaper units will struggle.

    Go Milwaukee or go home or just get a breaker bar and extension pole if required for extra leverage/torque.

    • freefall101 on 14/05/2025 - 18:19
      +1

      This, even when I lived in Canada (so changed between regular and snow tyres each year) and had a really decent corded impact wrench I still used a breaker bar. Nothing beats leverage.

      The impact wrench was solely because I did my cars and the neighbours, so usually 4-5 cars each 6 months. I got really bored of doing them by hand.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 19:19

      Do you recommend Milwaukee because of its reliability or sheer torque it outputs compared to similar Ryobi model?

      Whether it can crack the axle nuts doesn't influence by buying decision, it'd just be a bonus. Last time I had to replace a wheel bearing, a breaker bar was used. I thought it'd just be nice if I could just use the impact wrench to hammer it loose.

      I was thinking getting the compact model cuz it'd be more flexible when working on my car. I mentioned brake caliper bolts, I'm not sure if they have enough clearance for a full-sized impact wrench.

      I'd rather not go with Milwaukee cuz I don't have any of their tools, but if say I decide to go with them, what would be a good enough model for my needs without it being too big and heavy?

      • JIMB0 on 14/05/2025 - 19:47
        +1

        The mid-torque Milwaukee is rather compact while still packing a lot of punch. I've used/abused them plenty at work and they seem to last. The price is far too much for limited use at home. I ended up getting a second hand SP tools impact wrench, it has more torque than the Milwaukee, although not as compact. If you've got a compressor, the air powered wrenches are good value for the amount of torque you get. Plenty of bargains second hand as well.

        • Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 20:06

          Price is the main reason I don't wanna go with Milwaukee, they are very expensive, also I don't have batteries, so battery and charger would cost me quite some money too. I even think the $269 for the Ryobi compact is a bit too much, but I'm happy to cry once cuz I have their 5aH battery so I don't have to get battery separately.

          I do have a compreser bought from SCA years ago, and an air impact wrench (the most standard Ingersol Rand 1/2" model I bought super cheap), but I haven't turned it on for a few years. I'd have to change its engine oil and see if it still works. I also don't like having to always oil the air tools. So I've pretty much given up on air tools. In comparison, a cordless wrench is just so much more appealing and easier to handle.

          • zuuutoootuuu on 14/05/2025 - 20:19

            @Leeroy Jenkins: I've got M18 Milwaukee mid and high torque impact wrenches. The mid is great for most tasks but the high torque is the king when you need to undo nuts that the mid can't or nuts that will spin if you try undo them by hand (like a pinion nut in a diff etc).
            Wait for Total tools or sydney tools to have a sale on where they include credit and/or include batteries with skins.
            Ps. Total tools have a Milwaukee sale on tomorrow.

      • MS Paint on 15/05/2025 - 08:49
        +2

        I don't have any Milwaukee but if you want to crack the big nuts/bolts then the cheap shit just won't cut it.

        I use the 400nm ozito unit at least weekly and it's great for saving time to remove long threaded bolts and removing lug nuts that you don't care about but there's no way it cracks 200+ nm bolts.

        For the tight stuff I always use a breaker bar plus extension pole if necessary and always tighten with a torque wrench (I recently acquired the digital tool pro torque wrench and it's a game changer).

        • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 11:08

          I've not worked on really tight stuff that I can't break lose with my 1m breaker bar. That said, there are still a lot of parts on the car I haven't touched.

          Btw, what's so special about that digital torque wrench that it's a game changer?

          • MS Paint on 15/05/2025 - 11:19
            +3

            @Leeroy Jenkins: Preset torque settings. No twisting dials and taking a guess at the setting. Progressive beeps as you approach the set torque instead of waiting for the click.

    • Znark on 15/05/2025 - 04:44
      +4

      Don't bother with Milwaukee for home use.

      They die just like Ryobis can. Had so many (often near new lightly used) Milwaukee stuff die at my old work (including 4 impact wrenches) and there was always issues dealing with warranty. Huge wait times or that component/issue not covered.

      If you're not relying on it to make money, go Ryobi.

      They do the job plenty good enough, and when you kill something just grab a new one off the shelf and be on your way. I've got heaps of their tools for home use now.

      Why pay the over inflated price for their over priced and over rated cousin. Milwaukee are amazing while they're running, but I've found them to be just as or more fragile than others.

      • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 11:04

        Thanks for the insight! Working on cars is definitely just my hobby.

        A few years ago, I would have splurged on expensive tools just to have them, but now my financial situation has changes, so I'm definitely just buying what makes sense.

      • Pussqunt on 16/05/2025 - 09:11

        I believe Milwaukee screwed up their M12 impact wrench about four years ago for ~six months. Haven't heard any issues since.

  • KingJuf on 14/05/2025 - 18:36
    +1

    Ive had no issues using a ryobi unit but I think mine is the non brushless, had it several years and cant fault it. Use it mainly for wheel nuts on my cars including 4wd. Picked it up second hand with 4ah battery for around $100 I think.

  • akallabeth on 14/05/2025 - 18:46
    +1

    I have an RIW18X and love the thing. Handles most of the jobs i wanted it for, wheelnuts being one of them. I dont do as much work as I used to so not getting a lot of chances to test, but still highly reccomend.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 19:13

      This is the mid torque model if I'm not mistaken? It appears to be bigger and heavier.

      Maybe I should not worry about the size and weight, and get the most powerful one the high torque model (1600nm), that would cover everything I wanna do, including potentially the crank bolt on the civic.

      • akallabeth on 14/05/2025 - 19:18
        +1

        The compact had half the Nm so i didnt go that small… but the 18X has been enough so far. I wasnt worried about compact, just didnt want to spend too much.

  • JIMB0 on 14/05/2025 - 19:23

    Are you referring to axle nuts as the nuts that hold the wheel on, or are you talking about the big nut in the middle that secures the drive shaft? 200nm is too much for wheel nuts.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 19:24

      It's the big one in the middle over the hub assembly. Needs a 32mm socket to remove.

      • JIMB0 on 14/05/2025 - 19:30
        +3

        In that case I wouldn't count on the one you linked to being able to undo it.

  • Boioioioi on 14/05/2025 - 19:32
    +4

    Anything will do mate, I rocked a trusty Aldi for 5 yrs and now onto Ozito. I'd say I am an advanced home user, work on cars and the house all the time. Treat the tools pretty hard.

    You don't want to use the impact to break or tighten the nuts anyway you risk stripping them. Use a breaker bar to break the nuts, use a torque wrench to tighten them to torque spec. Impact wrench is good to then do the bulk of the work.

  • Euphemistic on 14/05/2025 - 19:39

    I have a ryobi. Think its this one

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-3-speed-impact-wre…

    Does the job, including axle nuts and a a bunch of suspension stuff including quite a few really stubborn bolts. No idea if a more expensive brand woukd have done the job easier, but i dont have to find out.

    I suspect the compact one linked may not be up to the task. Not sure its necessary to step up to brushless if its just for home use but the extra features the brushless advertise might be useful.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 14/05/2025 - 19:54

      The one you linked is advertised to have 360nm of torque, but the compact brushless is 450nm. I suppose the compact one is more powerful? I'm not sure if those two numbers are the same thing cuz one does say "breakaway" and the other doesn't.

      Would you mind telling me what car you have? If this can remove your axle nuts, it means it's powerful enough for most of my applications. I'm very hopeful now.

      • Euphemistic on 15/05/2025 - 05:43
        +1

        My bad. Thought i read the compact as having 200nm of torque. The compact should do the job fine if it is actually more powerful than the brushed version. Kinda makes sense because its more expensive so should be better.

        Ive worked on several eceral vehicles wirh it. Including 15yo 4wds that have had their share of mudbaths and beach runs so there are plenty of bolt threads that are caked in mud and corrosion.

        If budget is tight stick with brushed, but its probably worth spending thw extra $40 for brushless.

  • Bignudge on 14/05/2025 - 20:34
    +3

    Call me a cheapass but I wanted something powerful for cheap. I ended up going with one from Aliexpress and it was ~$240 delivered excluding batteries (it takes regular Makita batteries). Pretty darn strong too! Idk about the torque numbers but surely a 3/4" ONEVAN branded inch impact should at least be alittle stronger than a 1/2" Milwaukee or Ryobi.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 11:11

      That's actually a nice idea that opens up my options. Thanks :)

  • jizmo on 14/05/2025 - 20:39
    +3

    The rated torque is nut buster not tensioning, they always over rate their power, no mater the brand, and hard to understand until you own it, then you'll know.
    I bought the cheapo Makita knockoff from Aliexpress years ago and found it useless for removing nuts and bolts with 700Nm of fake power. Something that needed little effort with a 300mm bar I could undo, this driver couldn't.
    Bought a 3/4" hikoki driver skin for about $600 after that, it can snap heads off 16mm concrete bolts if you hang onto it long enough.
    Your needs would be in the middle of those two.
    Hikoki power
    Maximum tightening torque 1,900 Nm
    Nut busting torque 2,400 Nm

    Just buy from bunnings so you can take it back if you don't like it.

  • bathuu on 14/05/2025 - 20:41
    +1

    The one you linked in your post will do what you want. If you have ryobi 18v batteries already then go for it.

  • Kongzi on 14/05/2025 - 21:24

    How often would you use it?

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 11:18

      Not often. between working on my own car and helping others with theirs. I think on average once every couople of months sounds about right.

  • geekcohen on 15/05/2025 - 05:42

    I got the Ozito one and its great. I use it for my tyres all the time. 150nm and then use a bar for the rest.

    I am huge into the Ozito Eco system so it only made sense to go that way.

    • jam scone on 15/05/2025 - 08:17
      +1

      Ozito is usually cheaper then Ryobi too. I've got both ozito 230 and the 400nm impacts. Mostly use the smaller unit on my cars, only go to 400 unit occasionally.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 11:16

      Yeah I was looking at Ozito offerings and they are more affordable and it seems a lot of people use their stuff and are happy.

      I have Ryobi (for blower, vaccum cleaners) and Aldi batteries (for drill and impact driver). I kinda feel reluctant to get into another battery system.

      • MS Paint on 15/05/2025 - 11:22
        +2

        Pretty sure that adapters exist to use your Ryobi battery on an Ozito tool*. It will add a little bulk though.

        *Might not exist but do some research. ICBF doing it.

      • geekcohen on 15/05/2025 - 11:37
        +1

        If you already have Ryobi, then this comment might be looking at. Seems to do the job.

        I couldn't justify spending $350 on a tool when I already have the Ozitio stuff and very happy with it.

  • AMOKS on 15/05/2025 - 06:07
    +1

    I believe it is the same model as in this video (USA uses different model codes) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpxHkkzxeUE
    TLDW: has 80-90% of the torque of the Milwaukee

    If you look at this model and equivalent AEG/Milwaukee mid-torque variants, they do look fairly similar and likely share similar internals.
    The older bigger impact other users were recommending is the old model, hence the bigger size for lower advertised torque.

    If you already have Ryobi batteries and no others, seems like a good choice.

  • whatthecrappin on 15/05/2025 - 06:18
    +2

    I was doing a timing belt change on my car, online vidoes had some rather dodgy removal techniques of removing the harmonic balancer, so I tried a breaker bar but just couldn’t get the leverage due to space :(. Bought one of these - also from cash converters- which happened to by my local too - (finally the stars aligned for me!)
    https://www.cashconverters.com.au/shop/tools-motor-hardware/…
    Thought I’d give it a go, and the bolt literally came right off with absolutely no effort at all

  • mapax on 15/05/2025 - 06:34
    +1

    I have this impact and have been pretty happy with it. It has removed pinion nuts, flywheel bolts, axle nuts (only ~130nm), wheel nuts and a lot of lower torque nuts and bolts.
    It couldn’t undo some 30 year old suspension u-bots, but neither could my friends impact with around twice the nut busting torque. Ended up removing them with a 60cm breaker bar which corkscrewed the bolts.

    I got it in a kit that also came with a tyre inflator, battery and charger for around $299

  • kizzy on 15/05/2025 - 08:18
    +1

    The one you linked will be fine for what you need. I have equivalent in Makita and has done many many cars and machines. You will only need larger for speciality cases.

  • Clickbait on 15/05/2025 - 08:25
    +2

    Start with a breaker bar.Two metres of square tube at about $20 from Bunnings, or any piece of pipe you can find,
    If they don't work, and I would be surprisewd i they didn't then go to the big dollars

    • Euphemistic on 15/05/2025 - 15:28

      Depends whether you are looking at undoing one really stubborn bolt, or lots of regularly stubborn bolts. If its just one, a breaker bar is fine. If youre doing a lot, then an impact wrench makes the job a lot quicker. I use mine a reaspnable amount because its just quicker than a ratchet wrench. Glad ive got it.

      • Clickbait on 15/05/2025 - 21:37

        I don't disagree but I would much rather a couple of hundred in my pocket.
        On the other hand, I wrestled with impact driver discounts since Bunnings and Aldi used to fight head to headover them at $99. But couldn't find a use other than wheel nuts

        • Euphemistic on 15/05/2025 - 22:23

          All comes down fo how often you will use it. My tool kit has saved a lot in mechanic fees. The impact has paid for itself in my time.

  • TheOtherLeft on 15/05/2025 - 08:31
    +1

    I recently bought the next one up.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-hp-brushless-mid-t…

    It will loosen wheel nuts pretty well. I doubt the one you've listed would do it.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 15/05/2025 - 20:10

      When I went into the store to buy the tool, I saw the one you have, it's actually not big at all. So I actually debated buying the mid torque, but in the end I still bought the compact one because of its size.

      I'm not disappointed so far. It breaks loose lug nuts (150nm) effortlessly.

      • MS Paint on 16/05/2025 - 05:58
        +1

        150nm is a lot for lug nuts. Did a tyre shop rattle them on that tight?

        • Leeroy Jenkins on 16/05/2025 - 13:27

          Haha the car I tried it on has lig nuts tightened at 120nm. I just made them a little tighter to test the new impact wrench.

  • Dslrfirst on 15/05/2025 - 12:09
    -1

    Try something like this first:

    https://automotivesuperstore.com.au/supatool-s080013?utm_ter…

    • Cheap Gamer on 16/05/2025 - 12:18
      +1

      These are great for the boot. Lots of leverage and don't take up much space.

  • Cheap Gamer on 16/05/2025 - 12:04
    +1

    I have a length of water pipe. It's good for lug nuts and nutters.

  • Poor Ass on 16/05/2025 - 13:44

    any brand will do even cheap ones can do the job if it just to unscrew and screw

    but I recommend using a breaker bar to loosen the bolts first and torque wrench finishing touches after tightening

  • Sirocco on 16/05/2025 - 14:38
    -4

    Honestly, if you are using an impact wrench to undo car nuts and putting them back on, you are a total flog.

    A long Breaker bar is the way to go, you don't need to recharge anything and no noise so you can work any time.

    If you think having an impact wrench makes you look cool, you are wrong.

    • Euphemistic on 16/05/2025 - 17:31
      +2

      Breaker bars and ratchets are certsinly up to the task, and a rattle gun is noisy. But its so much quicker. Changed two front struts this afternoon. With a the rattle gun i reckon it save 30min at least.

      Just wish id borrowed a set of ratchet ring spanners from work for the strut top bolts that i couldnt get anything but a ring spanner on and that wouldnt wind by hand. Reckon a ratchet ring spanner would have saved another 30min at least.

    • JIMB0 on 17/05/2025 - 08:49

      You must be paid by the hour and like exercise.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 17/05/2025 - 23:53

      I'm using an impact wrench to get nuts off, not put them on.

      I have a breaker bar. But it's like using a scissors jack vs a hydraulic floor jack, both can do the job, but one is just so much quicker than the other. Wouldn't it be great if you could choose what to use given the situation/circumstance?

      About your last paragraph, I'm not sure what you are on about.

  • UFO on 16/05/2025 - 17:13
    +1

    Your link will 100% do what you want it to do. I own the older 'non-brushless' model and it works fine taking lug nuts off an old commodore. This newer model will not struggle at all and will be a dream to use.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 17/05/2025 - 23:55
      +1

      Yeah, it's pretty powerful for such a light and small tool. Even with battery, it's still lighter than the IR rattle gun I have.

  • noworsepromo on 22/05/2025 - 08:35
    +1

    No on wants to mention the supercheap toolpro impact wrench? On special now and good torque capacity.

    • Leeroy Jenkins on 23/05/2025 - 09:40

      Thanks mate. I got the Ryobi one and I'm happy.

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