Impact Wrench Size (1/2in or 3/4in)

I need to loosen (not tighten) various bolts on the SWing and maybe remove my car wheel lug nuts - that's it. What size impact wrench should I get? Plan to get an electric one - not that this will matter. Thanks.

1/2 inch is plenty large enough for nearly all apps, and 1/2 inch drive impact sockets are readily available via Harbor Freight at good prices, even a 3/8 drive would work for MC's but not so much cars. Also get a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench for $10 from HF to tighten those lug nuts

Agree about ½" being more than adequate. Make sure that the sockets you get for it are single hex or you could end up 'rounding off' the heads or nuts. A ½" to 3/8ths reducer is also a good item to have in the toolbox.

Cheers,

Does anyone know where I might be able to get a 1/2 drive 32mm 8/12 point extra deep socket? I need to torque the steering stem lock nut. Thank you in advance.

Northern tool I have one on the way. I went for the 12 point. you will need the 12 point for the stem. I just hope it as deep as I need

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=32%2Bmm%2BDeep%2Bsocket

OMG, the shipping is twice the cost of the tool, great price on the tool, btw. I then looked on Amazon, you can have 80 mm deep socket from anywhere from under $10 to $40, some shipped for free, check it out!

My shipping was same as the socket. 5.99 . I spent more on gas looking all over town, an not finding one.

The Harbor Freight 1/2 in. impact wrench is great tool for working on Silver Lady and the car.  It will handle the wheel lugs on car and the CVT and clutch on the scoot fine and is under $40 buck here.

Magoo

Yes but is there a 12 point 32mm deep well socket.

Papa Ritch wrote:

Northern tool I have one on the way. I went for the 12 point. you will need the 12 point for the stem. I just hope it as deep as I need

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=32%2Bmm%2BDeep%2Bsocket

I seem to recall reading (on here IIRC) that you need about 5" deep socket for the steering head,poster brought two "normal" deep reach then cut the square of one & welded the two together to get the depth

wingman in this thread ... https://www.silverwing600.com/t6485-steering-stem-nut?highlight=steering+stem+socket ... welded two together,must be another thread tha mentioned 5" or it may be my memory playing tricks on me

Hi Jerry.
Go up to Concord's Harbor Freight and purchase the cordless, 1/2" impact wrench and you'll be very happy.
Greg

WingMan02 wrote:

Does anyone know where I might be able to get a 1/2 drive 32mm 8/12 point extra deep socket? I need to torque the steering stem lock nut.  Thank you in advance.

if you get a normal l socket
cut it in half then weld a tube with a similar size in diameter so that you have one end as the socket and the other with the 1/2" drive

got few so called specialised sockets like this:) 

So can someone tell me how often is this 32mm socket used/needed? is there regualar maintainence required for the nut where its needed or only for repair when the bearings go bad?

Papa Ritch wrote:

Northern tool I have one on the way. I went for the 12 point. you will need the 12 point for the stem. I just hope it as deep as I need

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=32%2Bmm%2BDeep%2Bsocket

I just chatted with Northern tools and the socket you ordered is only 2 5/16 inch deep internally.  They do not have one that can handle a bolt of three inches.  I do not have access to welding equipment so I will not be able to fabricate a socket welded to a pipe.
This tool is used to remove/install the steering stem to service/replace the steering bearings.  It needs to be torqued to specifications.

I used to work in an auto shop. Harbor freight has inexpensive ones if you only use it every once in a while. While they are not "high quality" and long lasting, the one I have has lasted for occasional use. The lbs/ft of torque is probably more important than the size of the driver chuck. Because, you can get converters (up or down) for the driver chuck.

However if you get a breaker bar it is cheaper, and you can tap (or bang if necessary) with a hammer on the end, or use a length of pipe as an extender.

For *tightening* things that need to be very tight, I recommend getting a torque wrench.
For that matter, if you haven't already gotten several torque wrenches, buy those first (instead of the impact driver) and spend a little money on a breaker bar.

SO! has anyone ever found a ready made 32mm deep socket 5 inches deep 12 point without have to fab it up? does Honda make one avail for this purpose? it doesnt sound like a tool that is used oftern at all. I've never had a steering bearing go bad......oops, i better get one!

Dimond wrote:

I need to loosen (not tighten) various bolts on the SWing and maybe remove my car wheel lug nuts - that's it.  What size impact  wrench should I get? Plan to get an electric one - not that this will matter. Thanks.  

I would use a 1/2 inch impact wrench.  For you Swing I would use a cordless one and get an electrical one for all other uses.  Never use an impact wrench to tighten any bolts.  Use a torque wrench for tightening.

Aloha

I bought a 1/2" electric impact that can deliver up to 90 ftlbs of torque for only 40$. I got it at harbor freight, and the sockets were only about $10 and I bought the deep ones. It works great for me and it will work in your car too if you get a converter so you can take it on trips.

FWIW, I've never needed an impact wrench on the Wing thus far - not for steering head, not for variator or clutch, not for rear tire. If you have a way of holding things to tighten them, you should have a way of holding them to loosen them. I cringe when I see someone using a impact wrench on something very precisely machined like a crankshaft (to remove the variator) - I won't take a hammer or anything else that has sharp impact (like an impact wrench) to my beloved Wing!