How to oil an impact wrench


Improve the durability of your impact wrench by lubricating the airline AND impact mechanism

December 17, 2019

Tire changing Energy Impact Wrenches Tools

Has your pneumatic impact wrench started to become unreliable, not perform as it should or suddenly stopped working? One of the most common reasons for lack of durability and premature tool failure is inadequate lubrication – and not just of the motor, but also the impact mechanism.

It’s well known that regular maintenance is vital to make sure your tool is performing at its best. In the same way that you keep the oil levels topped up in your car, it’s important to regularly check the oil and grease in your tool. A little maintenance can go a long way towards improving its durability and longevity. In this blog we’ll look at the two different areas for lubrication and explain how you can maintain your impact wrench properly to ensure that it keeps delivering excellent performance over a long lifetime. We’ll also discuss how often you should lubricate your air tools, and what type of oil you should use so you can make sure you’re working as productively as possible.

Which parts of an impact wrench need lubricating?

When it comes to lubrication, there are two parts of the wrench to consider: a. The motor b. The impact mechanism

The two parts of an impact wrench that need lubricating: the motor and the impact mechanism.

You may be aware that the motor needs regular lubrication, but did you know that the impact mechanism needs lubrication too? Both systems are independent from one another, and therefore must be lubricated separately. The motor is lubricated by a specific airline lubricator that you add in the FRL or directly at the air inlet (at the tool). Whereas the impact mechanism is lubricated in one of two ways depending on the system the tool uses. These are:

  • Grease impact mechanism 
  • Oil bath impact mechanism

Understanding the two types of lubrication systems for the impact mechanism

Lubricating the impact mechanism is vital to minimize the friction between the impact contact points of the anvil and hammer, and therefore keeps the wrench running in excellent condition. Let’s look at these two systems in greater detail:

1. Grease system:

Impact mechanism with grease lubrication

In this system grease is applied only on the contact points between the anvil and hammer to prevent friction between them.

An impact wrench mechanism with a grease system needs regular grease replenishment.

However, over time, the grease will move from the contact points to the outside of the hammer (due to principles of inertia) and so will become absent in this critical area. As a result, there will be increased friction, and heat, and the tool will ultimately stop working. It needs regular grease replenishment.

2. Oil bath system:

Impact mechanism with oil lubrication

In a tool which uses oil bath system, the entire front part of the impact wrench is submerged in oil. There is no question as to whether the oil is present or not, because it surrounds the whole system. One advantage is that lubrication is always present on the contact points, and therefore it requires less maintenance. Maintenance can be trickier, but, with the right tips and pieces of advice, it become very easy to do – as outlined below.

How to lubricate the impact mechanism of an impact wrench properly?

1. Grease system:

To lubricate the impact mechanism properly, we recommend you open the tool and add grease carefully with your hands or a brush on the critical contact points: the anvil (area in contact with hammer) and in the hammer’s inner area. Most pneumatic tools have multiple grease fittings, and if it isn’t possible to lubricate the impact mechanism as described above, it is sometimes possible to add grease through these holes. If you aren't sure where they are, check your manual or ask your service provided. Don’t forget to remove the old grease before adding the new one!

Tool operating conditions:  Tool frequency of use : low Tool frequency of use: high
Low Around 6 months Around 3 months
High Around 3 months Around 1 month

2.

Oil bath system:

To change the oil, you have to open the tool carefully, drain the used oil and dispose of it appropriately, and then replace it with a new oil. It is imperative that you use oil, which is only suitable for impact systems, for example oil type SAE30. Note: this is different oil from oil used in air lubrication.

Tool operating conditions:  Tool frequency of use : low Tool frequency of use: high
Low Around 12months Around 6 months
High Around 6 months Around 2 months

The frequency at which lubrication checks should be carried out depends on your usage and maintenance schedule, and we recommend following manufacturers’ advice here.

Antoine Tourneux , Global Product Marketing Manager, Vehicle Service Air Tools, at Chicago Pneumatic

Note: regardless of the lubrication type, only use cleaners and grease that have been recommended by the manufacturer. Double check with the tool manual or your service provider if you are not sure.

What are the consequences of not lubricating correctly?

If the lubrication is applied correctly and frequently, the durability of a tool with a grease mechanism and an oil batch mechanism will be very similar. However, most of the time, grease is not added often enough, and the impact mechanism durability decreases considerably. An impact wrench that has not been lubricated properly will operate with a lower power output, and if the tool is continually used when starved of grease, the internal components will wear down and the tool will not last nearly as long as it could.

Improve the durability of your air tool by regularly lubricating the motor and impact mechanism.

Antoine Tourneux , Global Product Marketing Manager, Vehicle Service Air Tools, at Chicago Pneumatic

Read more

Maintenance of Pneumatic Impact Wrenches

In this post you'll learn

Pneumatic impact wrenches are power tools that do require regular maintenance. Poor lubrication is one of the most common causes of tool decay and failure. Here we will go through certain practices that can help you maintain your tools in better conditions.

Work area basics

Keep your work area clean and tidy. Cluttered and dirty work areas can cause you to lose valuable tools and materials.

Wear the right safety equipment: impact wrenches should be used only by those who have been properly trained, following all relevant health and safety policies.

Dress appropriately. Make sure everybody in the room is wearing eye protection. Never operate this tool where there are flammable liquids or gases near it because of potential explosion hazard concerns.

Air motor lubrication

We recommend running an inline, or manually applying some Air Tool Oil through the air intake before every use to prevent corrosion. 10-15 drops of oil into each inlet should do it! It’s also important that you take care of this otherwise your tool will become too dirty and stop working properly – so apply more after every few hours if necessary (or at least when using for extended periods).

Impact wrench correct lubrication procedure

Lubricating both the motor and impact mechanism is important for keeping your power tool running smoothly. Because the two systems are not linked, they must be lubricated separately.

A specific airline lubricator is used to lubricate the motor. You may either add it to the FRL or use it right away on the air intake (to tool). Depending on the system, the impact mechanism is lubricated. This mechanism can be either a grease impact mechanism or an oil bath one.

Grease impact mechanism

Only the contact areas between the anvil and hammer are lubricated in this system to minimize friction. Grease should be replenished regularly.

The grease, on the other hand, will flow from the touchpoints to the outside of the hammer over time on account of inertia. Because of this, there will be more friction and heat. If it isn’t maintained, it will eventually stop working. It needs to be serviced regularly.

Oil bath mechanism

The entire front portion of an impact wrench is immersed in oil in a tool with an oil bath system. Because it encompasses the entire system, the oil is always there. The gap is always lubricated, so there is less need for maintenance.

To change the oil, you have to open the wrench carefully. When you are done with the oil, then you need to dispose of it. Replace the old oil with new oil that is only suitable for impact systems, such as SAE30.

Which oil is used in air tools?

Mineral oil is made from petroleum and is colorless and odorless. It’s a by-product of the process that makes gasoline. It’s been used as an ingredient in lotions, creams, ointments, and cosmetics for a long time.

Mineral oil is a lubricant that’s good for pneumatic tools. A contractor’s framing gun is an example of a pneumatic tool with a few moving components.

The components of a pneumatic tool slide against each other without actually contacting each other. Between carefully designed pistons, valves, and cylinders, the parts form a waterproof seal. Rubber and nylon o-rings make up the airtight seal.

Because of the mineral oil, the air chambers will be free of dirt and sticky build-up. However, petroleum oils might leave behind remnants or build-up so you must not use them. Air tools work best with mineral oil that has anti-foaming and anti-gumming additives.

Disposing of oil appropriately

All need to be aware of the rules and regulations that govern oil disposal. Whether you are an individual, a small company, or a large corporation, it’s in everyone’s best interest to adhere to these standards.

Because of the Environmental and Planning Assessment (EPA)’s requirements, all oil and oil filters from equipment, vehicles, and other products must be disposed of or recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. According to the EPA, one oil change’s used oil may pollute 1 million gallons of water. The waste oil can be recycled or refined into lower grades of fuels.

It’s possible that you’ll need to store your used oil before disposing of it. Always follow the best practices when storing used oil. This will help keep your environment healthy and make it easier to handle.

Since oil is not hazardous waste, it does not need to be stored for a certain amount of time. This implies that you may hold off on transporting and recycling used oil until you have enough for reasonable transportation and recycling.

The best way to store used oil is safely and securely. Although there are many ways you can do this, one of the most important factors for safety would have to be proper signage on all containers as well as written procedures that outline when and how certain tasks should take place with your facility’s discards. 

Avoid mixing them up with other wastes by including appropriate warnings about what they contain. Putting these instructions into practice will help prevent accidents from happening during storage or transportation!

You may also have your used oil collected by a local body shop or service station, which will recycle the oil for you. It is not legal to dispose of used oil in your regular trash cans or toss it on the side of the road.

Disposing of oil filters correctly

Filters must also be disposed of correctly since, at the very least, trace amounts of used oil abound. You have three alternatives for recycling your used oil filters:

  • puncture the air filter (remove the filter from the wrench, then pierce the end of it with a needle and put it upside down 12 hours, the oil will drain out into a pan and then recycle)
  • remove the filter and crush it
  • take your used oil filter to a body shop or a municipal recycling facility that accepts them

Conclusion

Pneumatic impact wrenches are a very useful tool to have in your impact wrench kit, but they do require regular maintenance. Poor lubrication is one of the most common causes of tool decay and failure. Following these simple guidelines, your wrench will be ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Improving impact wrench durability by lubricating air line AND impact mechanism

December 17, 2019

Tire changing Energy Pneumatic wrenches Tools

Is your air impact wrench becoming unreliable, not working well or has suddenly stopped working? One of the most common causes of poor tool life and premature tool failure is insufficient lubrication - not only of the motor, but also of the impact mechanism.

It is well known that regular maintenance is essential to keep your tool performing optimally. Just like with the oil level in a car, it is important to regularly check the presence of oil and grease in your tool. Minimal maintenance means a lot to increase its reliability and service life. In this blog, we'll take a look at two different lubrication zones and explain how to properly maintain an impact wrench to maintain its superior performance over a long service life. We will also discuss how often an air tool should be lubricated and what type of oil to use to ensure maximum performance.

What parts of an impact wrench need lubrication?

With regard to lubrication, two parts of the wrench must be observed: a. Dvigatelb. Impact mechanism

The two parts of an impact wrench that require lubrication are the motor and the impact mechanism.

You probably remember that the engine needs regular lubrication, but did you know that the impact mechanism also needs lubrication? Both systems are independent of each other and therefore need to be lubricated separately. The motor is lubricated by a special air line lubricator, which is mounted on the FRL or directly on the air inlet (on the tool). In turn, the impact mechanism is lubricated in one of two ways, depending on the system used in the tool. This is:

  • Grease-lubricated impact mechanism
  • Oil bath impact mechanism

Understanding the Two Types of Impactor Lubrication Systems

The lubrication of the hammer mechanism is necessary to minimize friction at the points of contact between the shank and the hammer and, therefore, to keep the wrench in good condition. Consider these two systems in more detail:

1. Grease lubricated system:

Grease-lubricated hammer mechanism

In this system, grease is applied only to the contact points of the shank and hammer to prevent friction between them.

Grease-lubricated impact wrench requires regular relubrication.

However, over time, the lubricant shifts from the contact points to the outer part of the hammer (due to inertia) and therefore is not present in this critical area. As a result, friction increases, heating occurs, and the tool eventually stops working. Requires regular lubrication.

2. Oil bath system:

Oil lubricated impact mechanism

In a tool using an oil bath system, the entire front of the impact wrench is immersed in oil. There is no doubt about the presence or absence of oil, because it surrounds the entire system. One of the advantages is that lubricant is always present at the contact points and therefore less maintenance is required. Maintenance can be tricky, but if you follow the right tips and tricks below, it's very easy to do.

How to properly lubricate the impact mechanism of an impact wrench?

1. Grease lubricated system:

To properly lubricate the hammer mechanism, it is recommended that you open the tool and carefully apply grease with your hands or a brush to critical contact points: the shank (in contact with the hammer) and the inside of the hammer. Most air tools have several grease fittings, and if it is not possible to lubricate the hammer mechanism as described above, it is sometimes possible to pump grease through these holes. If you are not sure where they are located, check your owner's manual or contact your service representative. Don't forget to remove the old grease before applying the new one!

Tool operating conditions: Tool frequency: low Tool frequency: high
Low About 6 months About 3 months
High About 3 months About 1 month

2.

Oil bath system:

To change the oil, carefully open the tool, drain and properly dispose of the used oil, and then replace it with new oil. Be sure to use an oil that is suitable for impact systems, such as SAE30 type oil. Note: This oil is different from the one used for air lubrication.

Tool operating conditions: Tool frequency: low Tool frequency: high
Low About 12 months About 6 months
High About 6 months About 2 months

Lubrication check frequency depends on usage and maintenance schedule. In this regard, we advise you to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Antoine Tourneux , Global Product Marketing Manager Chicago Pneumatic, Automotive Pneumatic Tools Industry

Note: Regardless of the type of lubricant, use only cleaners and lubricants recommended by the manufacturer. If you are unsure, consult the instrument's instruction manual or service provider.

What are the consequences of improper lubrication?

If the lubricant is applied correctly and frequently, the life of grease lubricated and oil bath tools will be very similar. However, in most cases, lubrication is not applied often enough and the life of the impact mechanism is greatly reduced. An impact wrench that is not properly lubricated will produce less power output, and if the tool is continuously used with insufficient lubrication, internal components will wear out and tool life will be shortened.

Increase the life of your air tool by regularly lubricating the motor and impact mechanism.

Antoine Tourneux , Global Product Marketing Manager Chicago Pneumatic, Automotive Pneumatic Tools Industry

Find out more

How to lubricate the pneumatic impact wrench

Contents

You have purchased a pneumatic tool. What needs to be done so that the tool serves for a long time and works in accordance with the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, and what should not be done in any case?

Air.

It is well known that pneumatic tools are powered by compressed air. But what are the basic requirements for this air?

The amount of air must be sufficient for normal operation of the tool.

Carefully read the instructions for use of the product you purchased. The manufacturer always specifies an important variable, such as average cyclic airflow. The air engine is usually quite "gluttonous". The compressor you use must have enough power, and its reservoir must be large enough so that the tool does not “blow out” in a matter of seconds. For example, trying to use a wrench with an average cyclic flow of 120 liters per minute in combination with a home compressor with a tank capacity of 24 liters will not do any good. And a compressor with a capture volume of 50 liters is unlikely to allow you to use a wrench. It only lasts for a few seconds of normal operation. After this time, the pressure in the system will drop and the impact wrench will not develop the necessary force. In addition, the constant every minute turning on the compressor over time will lead to wear and tear.

Next, pay attention to pipes, hoses, adapters and other parts of the system through which air will be supplied to the tool. It is important that there is enough tubing throughout the overhead line. Difficulties will limit the amount of air supplied, and the tool will work at half strength. It is recommended that the orifice be no smaller than the diameter of the inlet fitting through which air enters the tool.

System pressure. Most air tool manufacturers recommend a system pressure of 6.2 kg/cm². If the pressure is too low, the tool will not produce the required power. Too much pressure will cause premature wear of major components and damage to the tool.

How to set the correct pressure with the regulator? Connect the instrument to the air line. Using the regulator and pressure gauge, set the system pressure to 6.2 kg/cm². Press the switch on the tool, the tool should idle. With the tool turned on, set the system pressure to 6.2 kg/cm².

Air quality. The air must not contain impurities that could damage the instrument. Condensate falls out in the air reservoir during air compression. If the compressor is subjected to heavy wear, oil will also seep into the air reservoir. The oil mixes with the moisture of the condensate and forms an emulsion that enters the air engine through the air duct and corrodes its components.

In practice, in a number of cases, we had to deal with the fact that the key delivered to the service had water and rust inside. The key looked like it had been drowned in a swamp for at least a year. It was amazing how he could work for so long in such conditions.

The problem of air purification is solved with a filter/dryer. Inside the filter there is a “strainer” made of foamed bronze. Passing through the sieve, the air expels moisture and other impurities, which then settle in the sump. The filter housing is usually made of a transparent material, which allows you to control the amount of accumulated impurities. The valve at the bottom of the sump is designed to remove them. It may happen that in the presence of heavy contaminants, the brown filter element becomes clogged and cannot provide the necessary air flow. A typical symptom in this case is a drop in tool power. When you start the engine, it will run at the correct speed due to the air trapped in the hose, but after a few seconds it will slow down because the filter is not letting enough air through. Remove the filter housing, wash the filter element in solvent and blow it with air. If this does not help, the filter element must be replaced. They are available from companies supplying pneumatic tools and air handling components.

Air motor lubrication.

Lubrication plays a key role when it comes to the performance and life of air tools. Oil does more than just reduce friction between moving engine parts. Its main role is to remove wear products. When the rotor blades rub against the cylinder walls, fine dust particles are formed. This fills in the tiny gaps between the rotor slots and the blades. The blades stop moving freely and the engine loses power. I'll tell you a little secret. When our service department receives a tool that does not develop power, an experienced mechanic fills the engine cavity with penetrating lubricant by injecting it through the air inlet and leaves the tool for several hours. Lubrication flushes out debris from engine crevices. It is then thoroughly blown out with compressed air and the tool is ready for use again. This method works about half the time.

How to properly lubricate the tool? Lubricant is supplied to the tool motor using compressed air. To do this, a device called a lubricator is installed in the pneumatic system. The lubricator is filled with oil through the hole in the top. A transparent housing with minimum and maximum marks serves for visual control of the filling of the system with oil. An oil slurry is fed into the lubricator, which is then blown through a hose into the tool. In practice, it is convenient to use an air treatment device called a modular group. It contains a water separator filter, lubricator, pressure gauge, pressure regulator and is installed directly in front of the hose to which the pneumatic tool is connected.

Please note that if the hose is longer than 10 m, the oil supply to the tool will be difficult. You will have to use additional in-line lubricators installed directly on the inlet fitting of the tool.

There have been several interesting events in our experience. For example, one industrial company decided to upgrade its air supply system with modern cleaning and lubricating products. The purchasing manager contacted us, we studied the issue, made appropriate recommendations and proposed JONNESWAY modular production groups. A few days later, the works supervisor contacted us again with an explicit request for “part 710”. The technicians were taken aback by this request. No one knew anything about Part 710. When they looked into the matter, it turned out that the factory fitter filled the lubricators with oil after installing the modular groups. The primer bottle at the top of the lubricator has a screw plug that only requires a slotted screwdriver to loosen. Next to the plug is a transparent viewing window protruding above the top surface to check the oil supply. The mechanic ignored the cork and mistook the viewing window for it. Using pliers, he tried to unscrew the “cork”, but since it was not removable, he only managed to break it. Next to the control window was the word OIL. Reading it upside down, the mechanic mistook it for number 710 and besieged the buyer with demands to buy “part 710” to replace the broken one.

Only use air tool oil of the correct viscosity. As a rule, companies producing pneumatic tools have it in their assortment.

In practice, you may encounter situations where customers use engine or transmission oil. Sometimes even the wrong fluids are used. Our service received a tensioner with an engine filled with a substance that resembles furniture polish in smell and consistency. High-viscosity oil "glues" the blades of the engine and does not allow it to develop power. Such a lubricant will do more harm than good.

Additional lubrication of the tool is recommended for intensive use. The OIL DAILY marking on the tool handle next to the air intake makes sense.

Pour a few drops of oil (not too much) through the air intake before starting work. Your instrument will thank you and serve you for years to come!

It is recommended that the operator read this manual before operating the pneumatic impact wrench. It must be accessible and understandable to tool operators, service personnel and safety inspectors.

1 Purpose

Screwdriver is designed for tightening and loosening screw and nut connections in the assembly of steel structures, machine tools, bridges, tunnels, etc. , where the highest performance and reliability are required. The accuracy of torque measurement when operating a pneumatic screwdriver is largely dependent on the wear of the screwdriver, the properties of the high pressure air and the correct design of the pneumatic system, as well as the skill of the operator.

3.5 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Before starting work, the operator must be properly trained and thoroughly familiar with the “SAFETY REQUIREMENTS”.

  1. Wear safety goggles.
  2. Always disconnect the tool from the high pressure source before changing impact sockets, making any adjustments to the tool, as it is also called, before servicing an air impact wrench.

Failure to do so may result in personal injury.

  1. Wear ear and eye protection if necessary.
  2. Wear protective gloves.
  3. Use the impact wrench only for its intended use.
  4. Do not overpressure the network to increase the torque. This will increase wear on the impact wrench and will void your warranty.
  5. Do not lock the start lever in the "run" position.
  6. The operator's work area must be free of objects that could cause the operator to fall. The place should be well lit.
  7. Do not work with kinked hoses, check their condition.
  8. Please note that the impact wrench does not protect against electric shock.
  9. Provide easy access to the positive pressure air shutoff valve in the event of a ruptured or broken hose.

Along with finding out the manufacturer of the wrench and reading the instructions for use, two questions arose:
①. What lubricant (Lubricant) and in what quantity is required for the main, impact wrench mechanism? (The information in the manual is too scarce, it does not indicate what exactly should be poured into the service hole, but it is recommended)
②. And what to insert into the gearbox along with the key?
Thank you in advance for your recommendation :)

buy the cheapest grease gun to add oil. nothing is permanent. I bought a grease gun, but have been waiting for a year for it to be installed in the mevmo key.

This is a different wrench. system is different).

That's all, yesterday I was too lazy to look at the photo.

Choose the cheapest lubricant, but don't forget to add oil. nothing is eternal. I bought a lubricant, but it has not been installed in the mevmo wrench for a year now.

You can just periodically pour a little grease directly into the “air intake” in the wrench … .. The most budget option …

certain mileage for oil change )))) open and lubricate for assembly

For lubrication - if there is no native (in shops selling pneumatics) proven by the production method (bridge construction) - engine oil 0W40. The consumption is negligible (a few cubes directly into the inlet pipe), and the device is not afraid of frost .... The lubricating properties of pure synthetic oil (which in our case creates a very strong film on all contact surfaces) are retained for a long time ... .. Oil with simpler (5W40 and more viscous) oils will not work .... If the work is not carried out outdoors and it is spring, any oil with a low coefficient of friction (for example, fuel oil for two-stroke engines) will do…..

You are confused. We are not talking about pneumatics here.

I meant air tool, not pneumobaby (licenses for 5 shot rifles, collectible I think)….

We are not talking about pneumatic tools in general. We are talking about power tools!))

Oops… the word “grease” just confused me…. As for the lubricant for gears and impact mechanisms - if you do not have access to a special lubricant - any lubricant will do - from Litol to CIATIM ... .. the main thing is not to exaggerate the amount and change periodically ... .. I called the service department (Milwaukee, AEG dealers , Rayobi) and explained the situation - they told me CYATIM (not hard, but consistency like Lithol) or CV joint grease with molybdenum…..

New Chinese cordless wrench loaded with blue bearing grease.

This is the number :) Is blue grease only suitable for bearings?)))

All from the NLGI series: 2 industrial lubricants.

Isn't 2 an exaggeration? Usually it is equal to zero, maximum one.

Possibly, but little data. It is based on severe operating and heating conditions.

The requirements for a dragster gearbox are even higher because the contact area is even smaller.

I always follow the recommendations of the component manufacturer, if for some reason this lubricant is not available, then direct replacement follows. If not, then it is recommended to use a similar component or, if it is not too expensive, additional lubrication.

In the wheel drive, the requirements are even higher because the contact area is even smaller.

I put a thousand in it, or I put a thousand in a skimmer.

I've been using Boshev for 12 years now, I feed it lube and it works like a tractor.

LMX Standard Pan Green or Mobil Grease XHP 222 Blue.

The battery also doesn't work very well in the cold, so….. But Lithol will suffice on warm days.

Pneumatic screwdriver is an indispensable tool for working with threaded connections. Widely used in automotive workshops and many construction sites. The pneumatic impact wrench is the ideal tool for workshops and many construction sites.

The design of the pneumatic screwdriver is quite simple, but at the same time there are many details that are not simple at first glance. Often the parts of a mechanism are strong enough to last for a long time, and fail only as a result of wear or excessive loads. Most of these problems can be diagnosed at home without calling a specialist. This article explains how to find and fix the problem.

The principle of operation of the pneumatic hammer gun

To understand the cause of a tool breakage, you need to understand how it works (fortunately, the mechanism here is very simple). An air wrench consists of a nozzle that connects to an air hose from a compressor. Then there is a start button that directs airflow into a cylinder with a rotor and blades that turn under high pressure. The engine transmits rotational motion to the stop, where the nozzles for tightening the nuts are installed. If the wrench is an impact wrench, then there is an impact mechanism between the stop and the rotor.

For clarity and understanding of the operation of the impact wrench, here are photos and videos of this tool in full.

Types of faults

Malfunctions or malfunctions of the impact wrench can be caused by wear, damage or severe contamination of the mechanism. There are many faults - here are some of the most common.

  1. Low power even at maximum speed and high pressure.
  2. Inability to work in fast or reverse gear.
  3. The tool gets hot.
  4. Handle does not turn
  5. Noise and vibration

These failures can be caused by the following parts: bearings, rotor blades, valves, springs, hammer jaws, seals and speed controller. Depending on the degree of damage to the part, it can be repaired or replaced. Let's take a look at how you can bring the impact wrench back to its bright sound.

Dismantling the pneumatic impact wrench

The process is usually simple due to the simplicity of the tool and the small number of parts to be unscrewed. The first thing to do to get to the "insides" is to unscrew a few screws on the back cover with a hex wrench. After unscrewing, remove the cover with gasket and speed control. Having access to the main mechanism, carefully remove it from the case, remembering the order of the parts. If you are afraid of spoiling the parts during assembly, take a photo or video of the disassembly.

Air Impact Wrench Repair

After removing all the parts, the first thing we need to do is evaluate their appearance. Parts must be lubricated, cleaned of rust and oxidation. Next, you should check the mechanism for the presence of chips. If parts are damaged, they should be replaced. In the picture above, you can read the names of the pneumatic wrench parts.

If your tool is many years old and has not been used for a long time before it breaks down, it is possible that the cause of the failure is banal corrosion and rust that has accumulated on the mechanism for a long time of inactivity. The solution to this problem can be a simple cleaning and lubrication of the parts. Even if this method does not make the tool work again, it should not be soiled and lubricated so that it will work in the future.

The tool may not work or work incorrectly even with a clean, lubricated mechanism. If so, then the cause of the malfunction is obviously a damaged or worn part. Here it is necessary to carefully check each component for the presence of nicks, cracks or abrasions. Particular attention should be paid to bearings and rotor blades, as these parts are most susceptible to mechanical damage.

The cylinder block should also be carefully inspected to ensure that the rotor blades are firmly seated on the cylinder walls. This occurs when the impact wrench has been running without oil for a long time, resulting in a significant drop in rotational force. If there is obvious play, you have 2 options for repairing an impact wrench: install a new one or grind the old one. Grinding should be carried out on the machine until a perfectly flat surface is obtained.

Air Impact Wrench Lubricant

The life of any power tool depends largely on the quality of its lubrication. The easier the mechanism works, the less its wear. If you want your wrench to serve you for many years, follow a few elementary rules for caring for your tool.

It is not necessary to dismantle the mechanism of the impact wrench to add oil. Simply add about 8-10 drops of oil to the tool nozzle at the air hose attachment, start the tool and operate at low speed for 30 seconds to allow the oil to quickly run down the parts. This procedure should be repeated every 3-4 hours for continuous use and before storing the instrument.

If you use the tool all the time, topping up the water every 4 hours can be a hassle. In order not to be distracted from work, install an oiler in the wrench to gradually supply oil during operation. It's more comfortable and provides constant lubrication, but don't forget to add oil to the oiler.

There are many rules, and when there are many, many of them are forgotten.

In our professional opinion, we have selected the 5 most important rules to increase the life of an impact wrench and prevent breakage in 80% of cases.

Regulation No. 1 Pressure.

The pressure must be set to 6 atm.


Learn more