Can I torque my wheels with an impact?

If I have an impact wrench that can be set to 600 ft/lbs is that okay to use to torque and retorque my wheels? Or will I risk damaging something since they are normally only 500 ft/lbs.

 

Just cause an impact says 600ft lbs, you won't see that.

There's a reason tire guys use 1" guns. I run mine down with a drop of oil on threads, torque to 500

 

You can tighten them with an impact but they will not be “Torqued”.

 

If the impact goes to 600 ft/lbs they should be right. I'm more worried about over torquing

 

Yea…. That’s not how it works.

If you’re truly worried about over torque you should be using a torque wrench.

 

Can’t trust the claimed torque ratings on the guns. Most are supposedly break away ratings. Either way there’s no actual rating system. The only way to know is compare the performance against a torque wrench. I’d almost bet money that 600lb rating will yield an actual 300-400lb at best. Test results are all over the board on air guns rated and actual torque.

 

Just because it says 600 ft-lbs doesn't mean ####.

Its not a calibrated torquing tool. Cut and dry, no way around it. Buy a torque wrench or go to a tire shop.

 

Look up torque sticks. I'm not sure they go up to the right amount, but if they do it'll get pretty close when used properly.

 

A decent torque wrench just isn't that expensive to NOT have one.

Hell, I bought a nice one when it was needed for just my RV front hubs replacement.

And you say the impact will tap out at 600lbs, but your component calls for only 500lbs .... do you not see the issue there?

 

I'd zip up telehandler wheels (same exact nuts and studs as a truck) with my 1,250 ft-lb rated 1/2" impact and they'd still budge slightly with a torque wrench set to 500 ft-lbs.