Breaker bar or an inexpensive 12v Impact Wrench?, Answer surprised me.... Options

[sfrenck]

Well, couldn't break siz lug nuts bolts on my front driver tires. I had a lug wrench set up, and, using a 42" demolition bar from HomeDepot, was able to put all 170 lbs of my weight into them (estimated 170lbs x 30" lever / 12 in / ft = 425 ft-lbs).

I couldn't believe that I actually spun the blocked front tire instead breaking the lug nuts bolts free. Tried heat, PBlaster, hitting the tire iron with a BFH, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) ... nothing.

Then I saw this online....

A Kawasaki 12v Impact Wrench from Pepboys. That's right - it runs off the cigarette lighter. No way did I think this would work - but for $50 and no way to get my non-running car out of the garage to a mechanic with air tools I figured I'd give it a try. Heck, it's rated for 280 ft-lbs of torque (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Much to my surprise, after about 10 seconds per rusted lug nut bolt, and very little effort on my part (holding the gun and pressing the trigger), the lug nuts bolts loosened and came right off!

Initial plan was to spin the nuts bolts off and quickly return the product for a refund, but now I'm keeping it in the family minivan for emergency tire changes. Figured I'd give a great product a plug and try to keep some fellow members from falling off their 3' long breaker bars as they jump up and down.