The nightmare of loosening and tightening lug nuts day and night can be turned into a simple task if you are holding the perfect impact wrench in your hand. It makes a person wonder what size impact wrench is ideal for lug nuts.
There is no doubt that the performance of an impact wrench depends highly upon picking the right size. Especially, when it has to be used for removing lug nuts. For these nuts specifically, you need to have an impact wrench of the perfect size which is the ½ inch impact wrench.
There is a list of reasons why this size is the most perfect. Lucky for you, I did extensive research on it, and everything that I have found in my quest has been shared in the article below. So, instead of blindly purchasing an impact wrench for lug nuts, read the article below and go for the perfect size.
What Size Impact Wrench For Lug Nuts
The ½ inch impact wrench is the perfect size for lug nuts. You will find more information in the article below.
Ideal Size For Lug Nuts
There are a ton of different sizes when it comes to impact wrenches. You can find a ⅜ inch impact wrench as well as a 2 ½ inch one. However, when you are focusing on lug nuts only, then purchasing just any size based on the features of the tool is a grave mistake. When it comes to lug nuts, the size is of the utmost importance and the rest of the features of the tool fade into the background. Therefore, an impact wrench of ½ inch is the most ideal size for lug nuts.
Reasons Behind ½ Inch Being The Ideal Size
Torque
The ½ inch impact wrench is the most suitable for a couple of reasons. The torque of the tool is the first highlighting feature. The torque of a ½ inch impact wrench is at least 300 ft/lb. There are a few models that even offer more than 500 ft/lb of maximum torque. High torque is needed for fastening and loosening lug nuts. An impact wrench of ⅜ inch size will bring low torque on the table, while that of a 1-inch impact wrench will be higher. Therefore, ½ provides just the perfect amount of tightening and loosening torque.
Fits Lug Nuts Of Almost Every Vehicle
The major reason that I uncovered in my research is that a ½ inch impact wrench fits the lug nuts of many vehicles. This is the real incentive for why most mechanics choose to go for this size. They can work on multiple vehicles with a single impact wrench. Therefore, if you are a mechanic, then you really need a ½ inch impact wrench in your garage.
Battery
Similar to the torque, the battery of a ½ inch impact wrench lasts longer than a ⅜ inch model. Along with a wider lifespan, the bigger batteries accompanying a ½ inch impact wrench also increase their torque.
Motor
The motor of a ½ inch is powerful enough to take care of stubborn lug nuts. It provides the required amount of power, neither less nor more. Opting for an impact wrench of ⅜ inch size will not provide enough power. Similarly, the motor of a 1-inch impact wrench will provide an increased amount of power that will be more than what lug nuts need.
Best ½ Inch Impact Wrench For Log Nuts
Now that you are familiar with what size impact wrench is ideal for lug nuts, let’s talk about the best ½ inch model for lug nuts. There are countless ½ inch impact wrenches in the market. However, there is only one model that is top-rated.
Porter-Cable PCC740LA
This model is a cordless impact wrench, which comes with a motor that provides 260 ft/lbs of torque. With a maximum of 1650 RPM, it takes off lug nuts pretty quickly. In addition to that, the lithium-ion batteries accompanying the tool will last longer than any other ordinary battery.
Conclusion
Fastening lug nuts manually with a wrench will not only take hours but will also leave your arms aching. Therefore, invest in an impact wrench that is perfect for lug nuts and save yourself from trouble. Read the article above to know what size impact wrench is suitable for lug nuts and why.