I picked up a compressor from the local autoparts store. It does up to 100 PSI. I also picked up an impact wrench that is rated for 90 psi. I noticed that it's never powerful enough to break loose the wheel nuts on my dodge ram or my wife's scion 'tc. The compressor is adjustable up to 100 PSI. I tried it even beyond 100 (in the "red zone") a bit and it didn't make a difference. Is this typical? I don't like having to use my ratchet wrench and a breaker bar for each nut every time i rotate the tires or change the brakes. Not sure if it matters but I have about 50ft of air cable between the tool and the compressor. I made sure that it has no leaks(using soap on the connections) and I use plumbers tape for all connections between the tool and compressor.

 

I'm betting you bought a CHEAP Impact wrench as well ... Thats LIKELY the trouble ....Cheap wrenches do not develop enough torque to get the nuts broke loose...The cheaper wrenches have too small an anvil to get things broke loose ... I've got a midgrade ingersol rand and a 2 gallon pancake compressor ,and it'll break loose any and all nuts I've come up against...

 

Also if the cfm output of the compressor is lower than the required amount needed to run the tool,the tool will not run at full potential.
I bought one of those goodyear 24 volt guns and it works great,no hoses or cords.

 

Can you recommend a good impact wrench that's not to expensive?

 

 

Also, don't expect a 3/8" hose to supply enough volume unless it's only 5 ft. long