Hi guys, is it ok to zip the lug nuts off the wheel when the car is off the ground using an impact wrench or will this damage the drive-train? And obviously tighten manually with a torque wrench when putting them back on.

 

Thats how I remove mine. Impact them off (with wheels off the ground), then when reinstalling I lightly use the impact & use a torque wrench for the final run-up

 

The only thing I would add to what MinusPrevious suggested is when you torque them to spec do it with the wheels on the ground, and then retighten them to spec again after a day or two.

 

The answer is you can't damage the drive train using an air wrench to put on wheels. If you get crazy, you could snap off a stud,

Whatever method you employ to swap wheels, the important thing to remember is to make sure all the lug nuts are tightened to spec so you don't lose a wheel on the highway. If in doubt, check again.