Just curious. Does anyone use their own impact wrench when removing their wheels from the car?
Was thinking about purchasing an portable impact wrench and leaving in trunk to make it quicker and easier, when I need to rotate tires, change a tire, or change a flat on the road with either of my cars, wifes car or familys vehicles.
Any downside to changing wheel, using an impact wrench . Also lugs can be torqued to specs (or retorqed to specs after having dealer servicing vehicle and just plowing them back on)
Any recommendations for a good portable wrench, under 300 dollars, that will hold a charge for at least a month?

Any info would be appreciated,

 

I was getting a little alarmed when you started talking about impact wrenches. Then I noticed that you are already aware of the torque specs. Having the lugs torqued to specs in vitally important. Just bearing down on them results in all sorts of problems especially the warped rotors.
I don't have a portable impact gun but I carry a 4-way in the trunk for lug nuts. It's much easier to use and works on the majority of cars on the road. I have a habit of stopping if I see anyone disabled on the side of the road.

 

I had a snapon one that had a good battery but had problems with the gears stripping on it. Wasnt cheap either.

 

I've got this POS 12V impact wrench that I have for cracking free any stuck bolts. Got it surplus fro about $20. But the truth is that if you hand torque your wheels you really shouldn't have much trouble getting them free with a good 4-way or 19mm/.75" thin-wall, deep socket on a long handle.

I'm not saying you will, but a high power impact wrench can bring out the "Rambo" in all of us. Ive seen a few pictures of what "spinning off" the lugs can do to the bores of our rims as the socket wobbles around in there. There is not a whole lot of room and the paint in the bore will come right off.


Not exactly what you asked for but I picked up one of these http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/tools/tw605.jsp last year. It may not be super accurate but it will get all the lugs even and very close. (lugs have a pretty wide range). You can also use it to remove lugs in a pinch. One of these in each trunk might be an option. Plus, no battery to worry about.

 

No issues using an impact gun on the wheels / lugs. I use one every time when I rotate or balance (I take my tires/rims to the shop - I don't let them near the rims etc. with anything other than the balancer/stick-on weights...).

I can't help you with a portable. I have my own air compressor in the garage and a 600+ Ft lb impact gun... Like all others have mentioned though, torque them properly and you shouldn't need anything other than the factory tools etc.. Just remember to break each lug loose prior to taking/jacking "all" the weight off the effected wheel/tire.

Here's hoping you will never have a flat!!