Recommended torque rating for an electric impact wrench?

[mudski]

I have decided to get an electric impact wrench over a new and bigger air compressor and new air impact wrench. There is a great tool place around the corner from here which has a massive range of every brand except for Hitachi, so choice will be pretty good.
So my main question is. What would the torque output I should look for? As I had a quick look at the range in the shop and the range was 250nm up to 600 plus. Usages will be usual working on car stuff, wheel nuts etc etc.
While I'm there I'm going to get a cordless drill and impact driver of the same brand too. As all my power tools I bought 15 years ago have all decided to die at the same time. With the help of a few vouchers for my birthday it will be fun shopping.

[lhurley]

I have all 3 of those tools you are after in milwaukee 18v. The drill and impact driver are awesome. Havent faulted them yet. The impact wrench i have it the new fuel 18v and while its awesome at most things, i find myself still needing/wanting to crack the nut first with a breaker bar, on larger nuts. Ie wheel nuts etc. It will eventually crack the nut, but it does take a minute. There is bigger options in impact wrench from milwaukee, for not a lot more, i just got mine as a gift so i cant really complain to much.

[mudski]

Can you tell me the model of the impact wrench?

[Ben-e-boy]

These are some of the highest torqued bit on a patrol.
The wheel nuts are torqued to 118-147 Nm
Main cap bolts 167-177Nm
Fly wheel to crank 147-167Nm
The crankshaft pulley nut is 294-324 Nm
Pinion nut 196-284Nm
Rear diff, axle bearing retaining nut, 441-490Nm

[mudski]

These are some of the highest torqued bit on a patrol.
The wheel nuts are torqued to 118-147 Nm
Main cap bolts 167-177Nm
Fly wheel to crank 147-167Nm
The crankshaft pulley nut is 294-324 Nm
Pinion nut 196-284Nm
Rear diff, axle bearing retaining nut, 441-490Nm

That's awesome Ben. That will help with my decision a lot. Saves me buying something that's too big and spending extra when I don't need too.

[Alitis007]

Get the one with the highest torque rating and turn it down for each application. That way your not pushing it to its limits

[lhurley]

Can you tell me the model of the impact wrench?

https://www.tradetools.com/products/M18CIW12-0

[threedogs]

Some have a reversible battery so you get a better reach , like on deep dish rims,
without needing an extension

[megatexture]

https://www.tradetools.com/products/M18CIW12-0

Is that the one you have or the better one, that one shouldn't struggle with wheel nuts?

[lhurley]

Is that the one you have or the better one, that one shouldn't struggle with wheel nuts?

I have that one. It will crack wheel nuts, but you need to sit on it for a little bit before it will go. I find it easier to just crack the nuts by hand and then use the impact to spin them off. I will use it to put nuts back on but will always check them by hand once done. Peace of mind thing I guess

[billyj]

thats only the little milwaukee impact wrench, i have its big brother that does 650nm+ will undo anything with ease, wheel nuts, balancer bolts etc nothing stops it