I am sure this is old hat to most but it is something I learned last week after 71 years of not knowing. I tried to remove wheel nuts using an 1/2" air impact gun with a 6" extension. It just sat there and hammered without coming loose. As soon as I got rid of the extension the problem went away. Now I think I know how a torsion bar works. :S

That IS correct. Extension, and the extra joint (extension to socket) soak up some of the impact's torque. Seen "Torque Sticks?" it's an extension with a built-in socket that will actually limit what the impact can deliver to the nut. I found that even with an (impact) extension, my 7/8" impact socket had trouble with the rear wheels. I used the extension because of interference with the axle hub. Harbor Fright sells individual deep impact sockets but apparently 7/8" (23mm) isn't popular enough to sell separately, just as part of a set.Back to it... Torque SticksColor Coded for Hex Size and for Torque.

Was it an impact rated extension? Otherwise yes direct always works better.

smkettner wrote:Was it an impact rated extension? Otherwise yes direct always works better.No, it was a standard hand tool extension with a removable socket. It just did not occur to me until I was not getting the expected results.

Impact rated extensions are harder and transmit the blow. Hit a standard extension hard enough with an impact and it will actually fail (done it a few times when I was too lazy to change extensions working on some high torque bolts.)

My 6" Craftsman 1/2" drive extension still seemed to cut down on the torque delivered on our RV lug nuts...This is part of the problem using 1/2" drive Sockets and Extensions on our RV wheels. Get an extension long enough to clear the outer rear rim and a lot of the force on the breaker bar goes into winding up the extension.Talking about sockets, impacts, etc etc... Black IMPACT sockets are probably a little stronger than chrome regular sockets. But the real reason to use impact sockets is.... Safety... Eye Safety... If an impact socket blows up, the black coating simply cracks. If that happens to a chrome socket, chunks of chrome become sharp missiles. I suppose some of us sometimes use chrome in a pinch (NEVER because of laziness of course...). I think wrapping the socket in duct or electrical tape would help contain the fragments.

Impact Guns and Extensions Do Not Mix | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

Harvard
Explorer
Sep 18, 2014
smkettner wrote:
Was it an impact rated extension? Otherwise yes direct always works better.

No, it was a standard hand tool extension with a removable socket. It just did not occur to me until I was not getting the expected results.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 18, 2014
Was it an impact rated extension? Otherwise yes direct always works better.
j-d
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2014
That IS correct. Extension, and the extra joint (extension to socket) soak up some of the impact's torque. Seen "Torque Sticks?" it's an extension with a built-in socket that will actually limit what the impact can deliver to the nut.
I found that even with an (impact) extension, my 7/8" impact socket had trouble with the rear wheels. I used the extension because of interference with the axle hub. Harbor Fright sells individual deep impact sockets but apparently 7/8" (23mm) isn't popular enough to sell separately, just as part of a set.
Back to it... Torque Sticks

Color Coded for Hex Size and for Torque.

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Impact Guns and Extensions Do Not Mix

23 Replies

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