Impact wrench

[agreatham]

Is it just me or do you have almost no leverage when you're on your back underneath a car? Any recommendations for an impact wrench for doing basic maintenance and beyond (fluid replacement, brakes, bushings, front axles, etc.)?

[mcoupemindy]

Is it just me or do you have almost no leverage when you're on your back underneath a car? Any recommendations for an impact wrench for doing basic maintenance and beyond (fluid replacement, brakes, bushings, front axles, etc.)?

Sounds to me like you need a breaker bar, not an impact.

You have an air compressor? If so, I'll recommend anything with IR on it. All top notch.

[gkrea1]

Agree, IR is solid. Add a quality retractable hose reel to your budget if possible.

That being said, I use my simple 1/2" breaker bar or a closed end wrench and a couple taps with a dead blow mallet to loosen tough bolts and nuts.

[flohtingPoint]

I use my battery powered DeWalt impact that I also use for lugnuts at auto-x's.

[agreatham]

Sounds to me like you need a breaker bar, not an impact.

I think I'll start with that. All my sockets are 3/8" so the longest breaker bar I have is 10". I'll upgrade to a 1/2" and a dead blow mallet like gkrea1 says and see if that's all I need.

You have an air compressor? If so, I'll recommend anything with IR on it. All top notch.

No air compressor ... yet.

[1996 328ti]

1/2 breaker bar with a 1/2-3/8 adapter.
I sometimes use my jack handle for extra leverage.
That an PB Blaster.

[agreatham]

Got an 18" long 1/2" breaker bar with the socket adapter. Worked like a charm on the transfer case. Thanks for the tips! BTW, should I put anti-seize on the transmission plugs? Or is that only something you do on fasteners that get hot?

[gkrea1]

No, don't put anti-sieze on ANYTHING that has a torque spec unless the Bentley or shop manual calls for it. I've only used copper anti-sieze on exhaust manifold studs & nuts, and brake disk retention screws. "Wet" hardware near the water pump will receive thread sealant, but that acts more as a thread locker than anti-sieze.