YACT: do air tools torque up to 230lb/ft?

[Maximus96]

I am thinking of buying an air compressor and a set of air tools. the compressor in costco is $300 and has 6hp and 110psi (i think). then they have a set of 5 or 7 air tools for $100. i never used air tools before and was wondering what will be needed for ~230lb/ft of torque. i think thats the torque needed for the underdrive pulley on the crank. i'm also looking to use it to replace my cv boots because each time the mechanic charges over $100 for a replacement.

 

[NutBucket]

Sounds like it should work fine. Heck, I used an electric impact gun to take off my axle nuts. Took a tad longer then the pneumatic equivalent but it works

 

[Quixfire]

Air tools are not a good way to torque a nut or bolt to specifiaction. Too much can alter the torque output and cause a different amount to be appiled.

Now if you are look for removal only and plan on using a torque wrench to tighten the bolt/nut. The the set-up you listed about looks like it should do the job.

 

[Maximus96]

impact gun, is that what i need? i think the set of tools includes an impact wrench. is that just like a more powerful version of a socket bit on a power drill? i've never used air tools before so pardon my ignorance

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Air tools are not a good way to torque a nut or bolt to specifiaction. Too much can alter the torque output and cause a different amount to be appiled.

Now if you are look for removal only and plan on using a torque wrench to tighten the bolt/nut. The the set-up you listed about looks like it should do the job.

do they have torque wrenches that do ~230lb/ft? i didn't know you can go that high by hand. the wrench that i have only goes up to ~100 lb/ft. maybe a bigger one will go higher, i will look into that.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: zaku

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Air tools are not a good way to torque a nut or bolt to specifiaction. Too much can alter the torque output and cause a different amount to be appiled.

Now if you are look for removal only and plan on using a torque wrench to tighten the bolt/nut. The the set-up you listed about looks like it should do the job.

do they have torque wrenches that do ~230lb/ft? i didn't know you can go that high by hand. the wrench that i have only goes up to ~100 lb/ft. maybe a bigger one will go higher, i will look into that.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?P65=yes&tool=power&item_ID=54463&group_ID=822&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

the only limit to how much torque is how much your willing to spend

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: zakudo they have torque wrenches that do ~230lb/ft? i didn't know you can go that high by hand. the wrench that i have only goes up to ~100 lb/ft. maybe a bigger one will go higher, i will look into that.

What fastener do you have that specs 230 ft-lbs? Axle nuts are about 100-120 ft-lbs. Hell, the tightest bolt in my car is 180 ft-lbs.

If it truly specs that much torque I just crank it down with a nice breaker bar and leave it at that.

 

[Maximus96]

i read that the crank pulley bolt for a maxima needs ~230 ft-lb. i dont know for sure because i was just researching as i'm looking to buy a maxima. the guy was replacing his with an aftermarket pulley and stated to torque it to spec of 230 ft-lb. looks like i'll scrape the air compressor/air tools route and just buy an electric impact wrench and a bigger torque wrench that goes up to 250 ft-lb. the electronic wrenches on ebay sells for around $60-70 new for some no name brand...is it a good idea to get one of those or will i end up regretting?

 

[SaintGRW]

I would really suggest not using an air gun to torque something. get a proper torque wrench for the job.

 

[Maximus96]

yea thats what i concluded. now my question is whether the no-name electronic impact wrenches on ebay are good for the job or do i need to spend hundreds on a craftsman or snap-on. and same question for torque wrenches, $50 ebay no-name torque wrench or over $150 for name brand?

 

[NutBucket]

If you're hand torquing it anyway why bother with an electric gun. I can almost guarantee it won't loosen that bolt for you if it truly is 230 ft-lbs.

 

[white]

use the impact wrench to unscrew it and use a torque wrench to tighten it to spec. for the compressor and impact wrench, also look at the air flow @ psi ratings.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
If you're hand torquing it anyway why bother with an electric gun. I can almost guarantee it won't loosen that bolt for you if it truly is 230 ft-lbs.

i figured to use the electric gun to losen/remove the bolts since they show it can generate 250 ft-lb. If the bolt is really at 230 ft-lb, I dont know how i would be able to losen it by hand.

 

[Maximus96]

also, how difficult would it be to torque 230 ft-lb by hand underneath a car with no more than 2 feet of clearance ground clearance? i have a feeling it would be hard as hell

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: zaku
also, how difficult would it be to torque 230 ft-lb by hand underneath a car with no more than 2 feet of clearance ground clearance? i have a feeling it would be hard as hell

Near impossible. Also, just because a tool is rated at 250 ft-lbs doesn't mean much. Case in point; My crank pulley is spec'd 180 ft-bls. I tried a Makita electric impact-gun (I think it was rated like 240 ft-lbs). Didn't do a damned thing. Point is, it takes more to remove the fastener then it does to put it on.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: zaku
also, how difficult would it be to torque 230 ft-lb by hand underneath a car with no more than 2 feet of clearance ground clearance? i have a feeling it would be hard as hell

Yes it is difficult but it can be done. All you need is leverage. And on the tool quality question, you get what you pay for. You?re better off in the long run to buy at least Craftsman or better tools.

 

[DuffmanOhYeah]

varies, but 230 is not unheard of.