I'm looking to replace my old Craftsman 19.2V 1/2" impact wrench since it recently gave out. I'm considering the DCF921 Atomic model because of its compact size, but I'm worried about its performance, especially since I need to tackle axle nuts on my Subaru. These nuts can be pretty stubborn, especially living in the rust belt. Has anyone had experience using the DCF921 for rusty suspension parts and axle nuts? It's rated for 137 ft-lbs, which makes me a bit concerned.
3 Answers
I've got the DCF921 Atomic, and while it's a great little wrench, I don't think it's up to the task for really rusty suspension components. Compared to my Milwaukee impact wrench that has over 1000 ft-lbs of torque, the Atomic feels a bit underwhelming. If you're working on suspension parts, I'd recommend looking into the Dewalt models with higher torque instead of risking your time with the Atomic.
I think you'll be okay! My DCF894, which should have similar power, handled my axle nuts without much trouble. Just make sure to use a heavy socket or a flywheel add-on to give you a bit more leverage. Usually, axle nuts are covered well and not too rusted, so I doubt you'll face too many issues with it.
I've been using mine on bigger vehicles, and it does a great job! I haven't had any major issues, and it handles the nuts just fine as long as they aren't severely rusted. Just be prepared, if the rust is bad, you might need to step up to something like the DCF899.