Have you tried removing lug nuts? Whew! The experience can be very frustrating especially if the lug nuts have been sitting for a while.
You need the right tool for sire because, without it, you will have to spend a lot of time and exert a lot of effort. With an impact driver, removing lugs will turn into a simple and time-saving experience.
That said; you want to use the right size impact driver because the lug nuts can be quite stubborn. So, what is the best size of impact driver for removing lug nuts? We are going to ease you into that but before then, how about we help you pick the right one for lug nuts?
How to Choose and Impact Driver for Lug Nuts
It is crucial to get the right impact driver to do away with the inconvenience that comes with removing stubborn lug nuts.
Here are some of the factors you need to consider while shopping.
The Torque
This is probably one of the most important factors you need to consider when shopping for your impact driver. Torque is essentially the force that will cause the lugs to rotate at an axis.
The higher, the torque, the easier it will be for you to remove lug nuts. The torque also makes the impact driver more versatile and functional.
The Size
Impact drivers come in different sizes. A bigger one delivers more torque while a smaller one offers less. The thing is that smaller impact drivers can get into smaller spaces where bigger ones fail to.
As such, you want to consider where you intend to use the tool before buying it.
The Grip
You want to pay attention to the grip that your impact driver of choice comes with. It should also be comfortable to hold and have an ergonomic design.
By that, we mean that things like the positioning of the trigger should be convenient and the handle rubberized to provide anti-slip protection.
If the grip is not comfortable, you will have a harder time using the tool and you do not want that, do you?
Corded or Cordless
Impact drivers can be cordless or corded and whichever you pick will be based on convenience and power. For instance, cordless units are portable but quite bulky because they come with batteries. That means you will get tired faster when using such a unit.
On the other hand, a corded impact power comes with limitless power. This is something you will not get with a cordless unit because the batteries will run out at some point.
The biggest downside to corded impact drivers is that they are not as portable because you cannot use them where there is no power outlet.
Additional Features
Some impact drivers come with extra features that make all the difference. These include things like torque adjustment that allow you to regulate torque power to prevent over-tightening your lugs.
Such features will make your experience easier but you want to be careful not to forego quality for some additional features that do not mean much.
Product Warranty
Lastly, you want to ensure that the impact driver you purchase comes with a warranty. A decent quality one should come with a one or two-year warranty, but a higher-end one should come with a longer warranty period.
Bottom line, you should not settle for an impact driver that does not come with a warranty. That tells you that the manufacturer of the tool is not confident about the quality and functionality.
What Size Impact Driver for Lug Nuts?
This is where we answer the question about what size impact driver should be used for removing lugs. The right size impact driver will assist in inserting and removing lug nuts and picking the wrong size will render it useless for removing lugs.
In terms of size, you want to stay in the middle. We would therefore recommend going for a 3/8 impact driver or even a ½ inch one that makes a better choice.
These are thought to be the best sizes as they are powerful enough to remove even the toughest of nuts without using too much torque.
Final Thoughts
Well, there it is. An impact driver with ½ or 3/8 inches works perfectly for removing lug nuts. When you pick that, along with the factors we have discussed you have a winner. There is no need to dread the task now that you have this information.