Need to change cv boots - air compressor and impact gun

[youry]

I have to change both cv boots on my 01 x5. I had an attempt on Saturday to take off one axle nuts, but couldn't do it using a wrench and various extensions. I'm thinking of buying an air compressor and an air impact gun (still cheaper than paying the dealer to do it). I looked on Ebay and Sears and I see all kind of specifications. Impact per minute, max forward Ft-Lbs, torque reverse....and so on.
Does anybody have any idea what should be the specifications to be able to do the job for both the gun and the compressor? I want to use them years from now and I'm willing to spend up to $400.
Thanks in advance for any help

[swissfrank]

Make sure to get a compressor that has a high air delivery, somewhere upwards of 6CFM @ 90PSI and a decently sized tank, otherwise if you ever get air tools that require a lot of air, your undersized compressor will be drained of pressure and your pump won't be able to keep up.


I have 2 impact wrenches, one I use for most things single hammer with 250ft/lbs, then I have an IR impact wrench twin hammer with 440ft/lb, overkill for the most part, but there for my stubbour bolts...

Air tools are a must have IMO if you plan on doing anything more than an oil change on your vehicle!

[JCL]

I would skip buying a compressor. There is nothing in this world that is as frustrating as a set of cheap tools.

Go to a good rental store, rent a serious compressor/impact gun/HD sockets, and you are done. Buy fewer, but better, tools for things that you will be doing regularly.

Just my $0.02

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by JCL

There is nothing in this world that is as frustrating as a set of cheap tools.

I don't think any stores in the US rent air compressors and air tools though, and you don't need them either.

If it didn't work with your breaker bar, that means it wasn't enough leverage. What I use to break axle and crankshaft pulley nuts:

1. 1/2" Craftsman impact socket
2. 1/2" Craftsman ratchet
3. Ordinary 4ft+ sturdy pipe purchased at Home Depot for a very small amount of money. They can cut any length you need.

Works everytime.

GL.

[youry]

Originally Posted by swissfrank

Make sure to get a compressor that has a high air delivery, somewhere upwards of 6CFM @ 90PSI and a decently sized tank, otherwise if you ever get air tools that require a lot of air, your undersized compressor will be drained of pressure and your pump won't be able to keep up.

Is this good enough?
http://cgi.ebay.com/DEWALT-D55146-R-200-PSI-PORTABLE-AIR-COMPRESSOR_W0QQitemZ360036389121QQihZ023QQcategory Z22662QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Originally Posted by JCL

I would skip buying a compressor. There is nothing in this world that is as frustrating as a set of cheap tools.

I used to do it in the past. Picked up tools from flea market. Now I'm buying just the best.

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

3. Ordinary 4ft+ sturdy pipe purchased at Home Depot for a very small amount of money. They can cut any length you need.
GL.

I bought from HD a 3ft pipe thinking that would be enough. I was sweating like a dog with no luck

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by youry

I bought from HD a 3ft pipe thinking that would be enough. I was sweating like a dog with no luck

so get a longer pipe..not that complicated of a problem.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

so get a longer pipe..not that complicated of a problem.

Apart from air tools for splitting tie rod ends or peeling back exhaust pipes, they are usually for speed and not power.

On top of the compressor, you need a good impact wrench, a 3/8" air ratchet, a set of impact sockets, and so on. The sockets are a ridiculous price. You need 6 point, thick wall. Regular sockets will get destroyed.

My local rental house is a branch of United Rentals. There are many others. If they don't have quality tools, then you are in the wrong place. If you do buy a compressor, make sure you keep the air dry by draining it every time you use it.

Good luck.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by JCL

Apart from air tools for splitting tie rod ends or peeling back exhaust pipes, they are usually for speed and not power.

On top of the compressor, you need a good impact wrench, a 3/8" air ratchet, a set of impact sockets, and so on. The sockets are a ridiculous price. You need 6 point, thick wall. Regular sockets will get destroyed.

My local rental house is a branch of United Rentals. There are many others. If they don't have quality tools, then you are in the wrong place. If you do buy a compressor, make sure you keep the air dry by draining it every time you use it.

Good luck.

I don't know about a set of impact sockets lol. A good impact socket set will run a few hundred dollars and really, there's only a couple sizes you need of that grade. The only few I've ever needed working on the Prelude are 19mm for the crank pulley and 36/32mm (front/rear) for the axle nuts. Fundamental parts are the same across all vehicles, so I'm sure it's a similar case with the X5.

I like buying new tools as the next guy, but there's no point in wasting money on tools you don't need. Air tools are great..for professionals, not the rare occassion you need to change an axle or timing belt, etc.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

I don't know about a set of impact sockets lol. A good impact socket set will run a few hundred dollars and really, there's only a couple sizes you need of that grade. The only few I've ever needed working on the Prelude are 19mm for the crank pulley and 36/32mm (front/rear) for the axle nuts. Fundamental parts are the same across all vehicles, so I'm sure it's a similar case with the X5.

I like buying new tools as the next guy, but there's no point in wasting money on tools you don't need. Air tools are great..for professionals, not the rare occassion you need to change an axle or timing belt, etc.

We have raging agreement. A good set of impact sockets is north of $500, or the total budget of the OP. Why buy a compressor and impact gun without the socket set? Skip the whole idea, rent if you need to, use a breaker bar if not.

Just my $0.02

[swissfrank]

Originally Posted by youry

Is this good enough?
http://cgi.ebay.com/DEWALT-D55146-R-200-PSI-PORTABLE-AIR-COMPRESSOR_W0QQitemZ360036389121QQihZ023QQcategory Z22662QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For a nail gun maybe, air ratchets and air wrenches use a lot of air, I would probably look for something at least 13 gallon with at least 6-7CFM @ 90 PSI, get something decent instead of something that might be able to do it...

Personally I have a 20 gallon tank with a 8.4CFM rating @ 90PSI, it keeps up with me generally pretty well. I purchased it on sale for less than $300 a few years back... I would probably prefer to buy an air compressor locally versus eBay, you should be able to find a good price for a decent compressor locally if you keep your eyes open, why pay for shipping if you don't need to.

Attachments for the air tools do cost a bit, but for me they have paid themselves off many times already, and air really had became handy for me, it has also made my life a lot easier.

It's interesting, and I never imagined this would stir up so much of a debate, but these guys are right, if this is just a one off and you don't plan to use it often, save your money.