Breaker bar or Impact Wrench?

[ak]

Hi Guys

I wanted to tackle some simple jobs such as exhaust replacement and brake rotor replacements and was wondering what I should use against those stubborn frozen bolts. My options are:

1. Breaker Bar - cheap
2. Electric Impact Wrench
3. Air Wrench

I was leaning toward option 2 and looking at something like this:
http://www.ontool.com/store/product/1342-956

Would 235 ft/lbs torque suffice for those frozen bolts??

 

[Ponyboy]

If it were me, I'd use the breaker bar. I'd be afraid of busting the bolt from too much torque w/ the air wrench.

________ www.greencountrymotorsports.com

 

[BoneZ]

I think the more important question is, how much leverage room do you have?

Will it be on a lift? Or will it be on jackstands or a jack?

If its a lift, use the breaker bar, no doubt, simple, easy, and plenty of room to move around. If its on jackstands, your placement to free the bolts is going to be extremely difficult, and an impact/air wrench may suit the need better.

As far as "breaking" the bolt .. as long as you don't hit it with insane amounts of torque, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

-B

 

[Larry Bastanza]

ak,

For changing pads you will need a 14mm wrench to remove the calipers. You can use a combination wrench, or a 3/8 breaker bar with a 14mm 6 POINT socket. These are not that tight, 36 ft.lbs. (this is just 3 ft.lbs. more then the oil drain plug, to put it in perspective)

If you want to change the rotors you will need a 1/2 drive breaker bar, with a 17mm 6 POINT socket to remove the caliper brackets. These are 80 ft.lbs.

The real pain is getting the rotors off if they have never been, since they are held on with this small tapered phillips screw that strip easily. You NEED an impact screwdriver, don't bother with anything else. About $20 at sears.

While your there get a torque wrench, if you do not have one now. Also, for the rears you will need to back off the piston by turning it in with a tool. I use a large screwdriver (I mean large!), but they do sell a special tool for it. This is due to the emergenct brake mechanizm. Get a service manual or use the one on line here.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[ak]

Thanks guys for the comments esp Larry for the detailed one

. I'd be using Jackstands so I won't have too much space but I guess it won't hurt to try breaker bar first. As larry said, the one I'm worried about on the brake is the stupid screw on the rotor...I'll get a impact screwdriver as recommended. thanks!!!

-ak