Recommendation for best drill?

[Vehicle]

I see people using cordless drills to remove their wheels, and I've always done it manually because I didn't know these newer battery drills had that much torque. can anyone recommend the best one to get?

[rmanm4]

Milwaukee M12 or M18 line is great. I use the Stubby M12 Fuel for everything. Really compact, light and powerful. Also have a Milwaukee M12 ratchet that completes the battery line for mechanic work!

The M18 line is more powerful but not as compact and light. If you are just going to do wheels, go with the M18 line.

[9M71]

I'm a huge Milwaukee fan but for wheels im using this IR impact and it has never failed, ever, at removing a bolt. The m12 stubby doesn't have enough power for stubborn bolts IMO that haven't been touched in awhile. Grabbed this IR impact after seeing the guys at a 24 hour tire constantly beating the crap out of them without the tool skipping a beat.

https://amzn.to/3ht7vih

[audioMeth]

milwaukee fan here. i have a bunch of their tools and use them daily. great power, battery life, and durability.

[horsepower_and_hounds]

I'm a Bosch guy but have to support the Milwaukee M12 for wheels

[icegrill]

Like others said M12 of M18 impact

[Kilabyte]

Milwaukee Mid Torque, might be a bit overkill but I haven't bought the stubby yet.

[kmouze]

I have Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee impacts. Milwaukee hands down the best, imo. But my beater Dewalt Max XR 20v handles everything car related just fine (i.e. wheels, suspension components , etc).

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF899...01D61NSUS?th=1

[MisterF80M3]

Milwaukee seems excessive for just changing the wheels. M18 is rated for 600ft lb. F80 torque spec on wheel lug nut is just ~100ft lb.

Something like this for $80 will get the job done with ~300 ft lb.

https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Cordl...5&ts_id=552820

[audioMeth]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

Milwaukee seems excessive for just changing the wheels. M18 is rated for 600ft lb. F80 torque spec on wheel lug nut is just ~100ft lb.

Something like this for $80 will get the job done with ~300 ft lb.

buying milwaukee is like buying into apple. the ecosystem makes life better and you wont need a bunch of chargers and batteries kicking around. who doesnt need a multitool, impact driver, impact gun, reciprocating, lighting, list goes on, and the m12 line is fantastic. i personally have m12 and m18 tools but i use for personal and commercial use.

attached image of one of my packouts with kaizen inserts

[icegrill]

One of my favorites!

[IVM3]

Originally Posted by Vehicle

I see people using cordless drills to remove their wheels, and I've always done it manually because I didn't know these newer battery drills had that much torque. can anyone recommend the best one to get?

You'll want any impact wrench that has at least 150 ft lbs of loosening torque. Note that you don't want to get a drill, as drills will not have enough torque to loosen lug nuts. I also prefer to use a torque wrench to tighten lug bolts, so I don't see a ton of value if you're just getting an impact wrench to loosen lug bolts.

[SD ///M4]

I have a Ryobi P260 1/2" impact driver with a single speed, a single LED light, and 200 lb./ft. of torque that I've used for more than 5 years to remove lug bolts to swap wheels/tires at the track and to swap brake pads before heading to the track. A few years ago, when my wife also started tracking her car, I bought a newer P261 model that has 3 speeds, 3 LED lights, and 300 lb./ft. of torque. Both of them have worked flawlessly. We take three batteries and a charger with us to the track, but we've never needed to swap batteries or charge them. These have both gotten lots and lots of use. On my M4 alone, I have 26 track days in 5 years.

Ryobi just released a new P262 brushless model with 4 speed modes (H-M-L and auto), 3 LED lights, and 600 lb./ft. torque, but it's also smaller and lighter than the previous two. I have lots of other Ryobi tools, including drills, saws, and lights. The only ones that have broken are the really old "blue" tools. All of the newer Ryobi tools are "Ryobi green" and have never failed. "Ryobi Days" starts next Monday and you can often buy a tool/battery/charger kit and get another selected tool for free. Ryobi Tools are made by Milwaukee and have a lower price point. I also have some Milwaukee tools and I've had problems with their batteries and chargers.

Ryobi P262 1/2" 18V brushless, 3 speed + auto, 600 lb/ft torque, 3 LED lights: $159 (tool only)
Milwaukee M18 1/2" FUEL 18V brushless, 3 speed + auto, 650 lb/ft torque, 3 LED lights: $239 (tool only)
Ryobi is made by Milwaukee and these two are essentially the same tool but the Ryobi is $80 cheaper.

[aka Hootie]

My buddy and I both have the EarthQuake XT from Harbor Freight. 3 years and no issues.

[jmg]

Just get an impact wrench, drills really aren't going to get the job done. If you just want something reliable and inexpensive to toss into the bag to take to the track etc I recommend the PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX 1/2-Inch. It's basically a Dewalt since they are both owned by the same company and I read somewhere that Porter-Cable is basically the previous generation Dewant or something like that. Anyway, it's inexpensive, takes abuse, and I've been using it for the past year with no issues.

If you want something that will feel like it was forged by dwarves in the heart of a dying star, then get a Milwaukee. Just realize you will find yourself wanting to replace your entire box with Wilwaukee's which isn't cheap.

[overfreeze]

Milwaukee m12 stubby

[melanthius]

DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Wrench, High Torque, Hog Ring Anvil, 1/2-Inch (DCF889HM2)

Absolutely flawless experience for my lug nuts


It does 400 ft-lbs which is just about right. Too little and it won't always get the lugs off, since due to corrosion and seizing it can take significantly more torque to get lugs off than what you use to tighten.

It also does not over-tighten when I put the lugs back on, if you just click 3-4 times on each lug, it snugs everything down perfectly and preps you to finish the job with your torque wrench. Speed control is very good.

[Isj]

I got the dewalt 20v XR high torque impact wrench a few years ago when they were on sale, works great for removing the lug bolts.

[MJ6]

I have both a 20v Porter Cable impact for lugs and bolts that need a little more by the way of "convincing", and a Milwaukee M18 for jobs that require lighter negotiations.

As far as tightening, 3-4 clicks is just about the right amount of ugga-duggas needed to snug everything up.

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by MJ6

I have both a 20v Porter Cable impact for lugs and bolts that need a little more by the way of "convincing", and a Milwaukee M18 for jobs that require lighter negotiations.

As far as tightening, 3-4 clicks is just about the right amount of ugga-duggas needed to snug everything up.

Please use a torque wrench when tightening the lug bolts...

[wam22]

Valtteri Bottas has entered the chat...

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by wam22

Valtteri Bottas has entered the chat...

I just laughed so hard that I think I wet myself