Regular cleaning and lubrication help maintain the performance and service life of Ingersoll Rand pneumatic impact wrenches.
Most pneumatic impact wrenches require lubrication in two areas:
- The air motor, which is lubricated through the air inlet or an inline lubricator
- The impact mechanism, which may be lubricated through a grease fitting, manually during service, or by another method depending on the tool design
Important: Lubrication requirements vary by tool. Always check the Product Information or Maintenance Manual for your specific impact wrench before servicing it. The manual identifies the correct lubricant, quantity, lubrication points, and maintenance intervals.
Before You Begin
Before performing maintenance:
- Disconnect the tool from the air supply.
- Clean dirt and debris from the tool and air connection.
- Inspect the air hose and fittings for damage or contamination.
- Refer to the Product Information Manual for model-specific maintenance requirements.
Do not introduce dirt, debris, or other contaminants into the tool while connecting the air supply or performing lubrication.
Lubricate the Air Motor
For most Ingersoll Rand pneumatic impact wrenches, use an inline lubricator or manually apply Ingersoll Rand #10 Air Tool Oil through the air inlet.
If manually lubricating the tool:
- Disconnect the tool from the air supply.
- Add the amount of IR #10 Air Tool Oil specified in the Product Information Manual to the air inlet.
- Reconnect the air supply.
- Run the tool for a few seconds to distribute the oil through the motor.
As a general recommendation for many pneumatic impact wrenches, apply oil:
- Before each use
- Before storing the tool to help protect against corrosion
- Periodically during extended use when an inline lubricator is not being used
Important: Oil quantity and lubrication frequency can vary by model. Follow the instructions for your specific tool.
Lubricate the Impact Mechanism
The impact mechanism requires separate lubrication from the air motor.
Depending on the tool, the impact mechanism may be lubricated:
- Through a flush-mounted grease fitting
- Through another designated lubrication fitting or port
- By removing the hammer case and manually lubricating the mechanism
- With oil rather than grease on some tool designs
Note: Do not assume that a plug or fitting on one impact wrench serves the same purpose as a similar-looking feature on another model.
Using a Grease Fitting
If your tool has a grease fitting for the impact mechanism:
- Disconnect the tool from the air supply.
- Clean around the grease fitting to prevent contamination.
- Apply the lubricant specified in the Product Information Manual using the appropriate grease gun.
- Apply only the quantity specified for the tool.
Manual Impact Mechanism Lubrication
Some tools require the hammer case to be removed so the impact mechanism can be cleaned, inspected, and lubricated manually.
Note: Impact-mechanism lubrication intervals vary among tool models and operating conditions. Do not use a single lubrication interval for all pneumatic impact wrenches. Follow the Product Information or Maintenance Manual for your tool.
Maintain the Air Supply
Clean, properly regulated air is important for pneumatic tool performance and service life.
Water, dirt, rust, and other contamination entering through the air supply can damage internal motor surfaces and contribute to reduced performance and premature wear.
To help protect the tool:
- Keep air hoses and couplers clean, and verify that the hose and fittings meet the requirements for your specific tool.
- Do not connect dirty or damaged couplers to the tool.
- Drain accumulated moisture from the air system regularly.
- Use the air filtration, regulation, and lubrication equipment recommended for the application.
- Verify that adequate air pressure is available at the tool while the tool is operating.
For more information, see Dynamic Air Pressure.
Clean and Store the Tool
After use:
- Disconnect the tool from the air supply.
- Wipe dirt, grease, and debris from the exterior.
- Inspect the air inlet, fittings, anvil, housing, and controls for damage or excessive wear.
- Lubricate the air motor before extended storage as specified for the tool.
- Store the impact wrench in a clean, dry location.
Recommended Ingersoll Rand Lubricants
Ingersoll Rand offers lubricants designed for pneumatic tools, including:
| Lubricant | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| IR #10 Air Tool Oil | Air motor lubrication for many pneumatic impact wrenches |
| IR #10 Oil with antifreeze | Air-tool applications requiring the antifreeze formulation |
| IR #50 Oil | Used by some impact wrench designs and other pneumatic equipment |
| IR #105 Grease | Impact-mechanism lubrication for many supported impact wrenches |
| 105-LBK1 Lubrication Kit | Lubrication kit used with many pneumatic impact tools |
Important: Do not select a lubricant based only on this table. Verify the lubricant specified for your exact tool model before use.
If Tool Performance Decreases
Maintenance-related conditions can cause:
- Reduced power or torque
- Unusual noise or vibration
- Irregular operation
- Failure of the impact mechanism to operate correctly
Before requesting service, verify:
- The tool is receiving the correct dynamic air pressure.
- The air supply, hose, and fittings are clean and properly sized for the tool.
- The air motor has been properly lubricated.
- The impact mechanism has been serviced according to the tool's maintenance requirements.
For additional diagnostic steps, see Troubleshooting a Pneumatic Impact Tool.
Manuals and Downloads
For model-specific lubrication requirements, maintenance intervals, lubricant quantities, and service procedures, refer to the Product Information and Maintenance Information for your pneumatic impact wrench.
If assistance is needed in the product selection process, please contact Ingersoll Rand's Power Tool Technical Support Team through Submit a Request via our Help Center, email at IRTechSupport@irco.com, or call us at 866-TOOL-HLP (866-866-5457).
Comments
6 comments
What is instead of the flush grease fitting, there is a hex head plug on the side of the case? Does grease or oil go in there?
Dan,
Thank you for contacting Ingersoll Rand. Depending on the model of your tool, there could be a flush grease fitting near the bottom of the hammer case or the very back of the tool. The grease fitting should have a small opening toward the center. You can lubricate the impact mechanism via the fitting using our grease gun included in our air care kit. Otherwise, you will have to perform the greasing manually. Please see the video here for manual greasing: [How To] - Lubricate Impact Mechanism.
If this is an older tool, you could also have a 258 impact, which has a hex head plug (oil plug screw) on the side of the case. This is an older oil-filled tool which requires our #50 oil after 48 hours of operation. After each 48 hours of operation remove the Oil Plug Screw and check oil level in the impact mechanism. If oil level is low, drain old oil and add 1- - 3/8 oz (40 cc) of Ingersoll Rand No. 50 Oil to the impact mechanism.
It must be the oil plug. How do I check, or know when it's full?
Hi Dan,
You may be able to use a dipstick or equivalent to verify the oil levels in the 258. However, if the oil has not been changed for awhile, it is recommended to drain the old oil and add 1- - 3/8 oz (40 cc) of Ingersoll Rand No. 50 Oil. A good threshold is after 48 hours of runtime with the tool (48 hours of the tool in operation), we recommended to regularly drain the old oil and replace with the new oil. Let me know if you have any questions.
Hi there,
I can't find the 105-LBK1 kit anywhere to maintain my Ingersoll Rand 2235tiMax air impact? Can you please provide me with one or point me towards a different air care kit?
thanks,
Craig
Can valvoline moly fortified gray full synthetic grease be used to grease the impact mechanism?
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