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Wayne
05-14-2004 20:40:53
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Re: rebuilding an impact wrench in reply to EIL, 05-14-2004 19:22:56
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An impact is very easy to repair. The basic parts are a the trigger valve, a small vane type air motor, and the hammer mechanism. The first thing to check for a loss of power is the inlet air screen. I've seen them clogged due to dirt, etc getting in the fitting while they aren't hooked up. The wrench will be in good shape but it's just starved for air from a blocked screen. If the screen is clear then it's time to tear it down and check the vanes in the motor. Before you take it apart though check to see if the anvil is excessivly loose in the housing. There should be a little looseness, but not an excessive amount. Some brands have a replacable bushing, some don't. Once you get it apart, look at the vanes. Usually they are flat on the outer edge and slightly curved on the other. If you can push them down into the rotor and the flat edge will go on beyond the rotor diameter before they bottom out, then tye are most likely worn out. If they look to be worn excessivly, are damaged, etc simply replace them. Check the bearings on each end of the motor shaft and insure they are free, if not replace them. Check the sides of the housing where the vanes seal for scratches,or any visible wear that would prevent the vanes from sealing. If this housing is trashed, then the wrench is most likely junk due to the cost of the part. Still it pays to check the price and compare it to a new wrench anyway, you might get lucky. Usually the hammer mechanisms aren't hurt unless the tool has been abused (ie-higher than rated inlet air pressure, etc). There are a couple of different style mechanisms, some more complicated than others, so be sure you watch how each comes apart so you can reassemble it in the same way. Some, like the CP's usually come apart by removing a rear cover and sliding the whole motor/hammer/anvil assembly out the rear of the housing. In this case you basically assemble the guts and then slide the whole assembly back into the housing. They usually have a long pin that is used to locate each part in relation to the other as you assemble it, as well as the assembly to the housing. Some of the IR's split in the middle. In that case the air motor is gonna be in the rear part of the housing that has the grip, and the hammer is gonna be in the nose. Just watch how everything comes apart and reassemble inreverse order. Impacts, air rachets, etc all operate on basically the same principle and are pretty much alike in design. If your in a VOTECH program then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to handle a simple repair like this. As for parts, that's a different story. I've got a local guy that does tool repair that I get parts from if I need them, as well as taking him stuff I don't have time to mess with. Just check around for a tool repair shop local to you, or a distributor for the tool and they should be able to hook you up with the parts. People pay big bucks to have these tools fixed because tye think it has to be complicated or that there is some magic to it, but in reality it's one of the simplest things you can do. Not to mention a repair doesn't usually cost that much when you just pay for parts and knock off the labor that adds up to more than the tool cost new. Good luck with the repairs. Wayne
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