Jesus bolt is out!
Borrowed a very nice, super short stubby impact from a buddy (STILL had to remove the radiator), upgraded my air line, and used a 22mm harmonic balancer socket. Apparently these weighted sockets are some secret not many people know about although I am sure you guys do ; ) Supposed to multiply torque like no else. Andrewwynn and Oldskewel, any idea on physics there? My buddy is a full time tech at Land Rover/Jag in Charlotte and former e46 fanboi and said 'just buy the socket and trust me'.
Turns out he was right. I tried both sockets (non weighted and weighted) with my 1/4" ID compressor hose. No dice. I had some new 3/8 hose and put ends on it and the weighted socket took it off in about 3 seconds. Came out so fast that it pinned my hand against the condenser. I think it was the combo of the weighted socket and the 3/8 line but hard to say definitively. Could have just been the air volume. But it's off!
The mass difference in these sockets is extraordinary. I weighed them. 289 grams for the HF impact socket. 835 grams for the
Lisle 77110
And yes, my compressor is the cheapo red porter cable pancake model I got at home depot about 14 years ago! Worked great in 10 second bursts. Surprisingly well, actually. Would love suggestions on a nice QUIET 10 or 20 gallon. I hate using this thing it's so incredibly loud.
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2005 X5 3.0i - 71k mi (9.2018) -> 81k (9.2019) -> 100k (9.2021) -> 123k (8.2025)
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SOLD : 2003 X5 3.0 - 177k mi (9.2018) -> 186k (9.2019) -> 205k (9.2021)
SOLD : 1997 328is Coupe - Hellrot Red
SOLD : 1988 528e w/ Bullseye s256 / MS2 Extra / GC Coilovers / Yukon Coils ~ 300+ HP