The Air Impact Wrench: Lubrication For Optimal Performance

Lubrication is an important aspect of air impact wrench maintenance. Regular lubrication can improve the durability and longevity of your air impact wrench, and it doesn't take much time or effort. The motor and the impact mechanism are the two parts of an impact wrench that need to be lubricated. The motor is lubricated by adding oil through the air inlet or by using an inline lubricator. The impact mechanism can be lubricated using a grease impact mechanism or an oil bath mechanism. It is important to use the correct type of lubricant and to lubricate the tool at regular intervals to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Motor lubrication

To lubricate the motor, you can either run an inline lubricator or manually lubricate the tool through the air inlet with the manufacturer's recommended oil. This should be done before each use and before storage to prevent corrosion. For Ingersoll Rand tools, the recommended oil is IR #10 Air Tool Oil. 10-15 drops of oil in the air inlet, followed by a few seconds of running the tool, will distribute the oil through the motor. If the tool is being used for an extended period without an inline lubricator, re-apply oil after every few hours of use.

In addition to regular lubrication, there are other steps you can take to protect your air tool motor from damage. Drain and purge your entire air system from the compressor to the tools weekly to prevent water contamination and debris buildup. Avoid connecting worn or dirty hose couplers to your tool, as this can transfer contaminants directly into your motor. Instead, use an air hose reel suspended from your shop ceiling to keep your hose and couplers off the floor and away from dirt and grime.

By following these maintenance and lubrication guidelines, you can help ensure that your air impact wrench operates at peak performance and experiences a long lifespan.

Impact mechanism lubrication

The impact mechanism is the second part of an impact wrench that requires lubrication. Unlike the motor, the impact mechanism is lubricated in one of two ways, depending on the system the tool uses: grease impact mechanism or oil bath impact mechanism.

Grease Impact Mechanism

In a grease impact mechanism, only the contact points between the anvil and hammer are lubricated to prevent friction between them. This system requires regular grease replenishment. Over time, the grease will move from the contact points to the outside of the hammer due to inertia, increasing friction and heat. If not maintained, the tool will eventually stop working.

Oil Bath Impact Mechanism

In an oil bath impact mechanism, the entire front part of the impact wrench is submerged in oil. This ensures that lubrication is always present on the contact points, reducing the need for maintenance. However, maintenance can be more challenging. To change the oil, carefully open the wrench, drain and dispose of the used oil, and replace it with new oil suitable for impact systems, such as SAE30.

General Tips for Impact Mechanism Lubrication:

• Lubricate the mechanism on both ends of the tool.
• Refer to the product manual or consult a dealer/service provider to locate the grease fittings.
• Only use cleaners and grease recommended by the manufacturer.
• Remove old grease before adding new grease.
• Perform mechanism lubrication after every 48 hours of tool runtime.

Choosing the right lubricant

Lubrication is essential for the proper functioning and longevity of your air impact wrench. The two main parts of the wrench that need lubrication are the motor and the impact mechanism. These two systems are independent of each other and therefore must be lubricated separately.

• Motor lubrication – The motor is lubricated by adding a specific airline lubricator to the FRL or directly at the air inlet (at the tool). You can use an inline lubricator or manually add air tool oil through the air inlet. IR #10 Air Tool Oil is recommended for this purpose. 10-15 drops of oil in the air inlet, followed by a few seconds of running the tool, will distribute the oil through the motor.
• Impact mechanism lubrication – The impact mechanism can be lubricated in two ways: through a grease impact mechanism or an oil bath mechanism.
• Grease impact mechanism – In this system, grease is applied only to the contact points between the anvil and hammer to prevent friction. It is important to regularly replenish the grease as it will move from the contact points to the outside of the hammer over time due to inertia. This will result in increased friction and heat, and the tool will eventually stop working if not maintained.
• Oil bath mechanism – In this system, the entire front part of the impact wrench is submerged in oil, ensuring constant lubrication of the contact points. This system requires less maintenance but can be trickier to service. To change the oil, carefully open the wrench, drain and dispose of the old oil, and replace it with new oil suitable for impact systems, such as SAE30.

It is important to only use cleaners and grease that are recommended by the manufacturer of your air impact wrench. Always refer to the product manual for specific instructions and recommendations for your tool.

How to lubricate

Lubrication is an important aspect of air tool maintenance. The motor and the impact mechanism are the two parts of an impact wrench that need to be lubricated. The two systems are independent of each other and must be lubricated separately.

Motor lubrication

The motor is lubricated by a specific airline lubricator that you add to the FRL or directly at the air inlet (at the tool). We recommend running an inline lubricator, or manually lubricating the tool through the air inlet with IR #10 Air Tool Oil. This should be done before each use to lubricate the motor, and before storage to prevent corrosion. 10-15 drops of oil in the air inlet, followed by a few seconds of running the tool, will distribute the oil through the motor. If the tool is being used for extended periods without a lubricator, oil should be reapplied after every few hours of use.

Impact mechanism lubrication

The impact mechanism can be lubricated in one of two ways, depending on the system the tool uses:

• Grease impact mechanism: Grease is applied only to the contact points between the anvil and hammer to prevent friction between them. Lubricate the critical contact points: the anvil (area in contact with the hammer) and the hammer's inner area.
• Oil bath impact mechanism: The entire front part of the impact wrench is submerged in oil. Lubrication is always present on the contact points, and therefore it requires less maintenance.

To lubricate the impact mechanism properly, open the tool and add grease carefully with your hands or a brush to the contact points. 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 dealer. Don’t forget to remove the old grease before adding new grease.

General tips

• Only use cleaners and grease that have been recommended by the manufacturer.
• Check your manual for the recommended types of lubricant.
• Install and maintain an in-line combination Air Filter/Lubricator/Regulator system. This system will efficiently clean and lubricate the air travelling through your air delivery system.
• Lubricate your impact wrench at regular intervals.
• Clean and store your impact wrench after every use. Keep your impact wrench in a dry, enclosed space while not in use.

Maintenance and storage

Lubrication is an important aspect of air tool maintenance. The impact wrench should be lubricated before each use to ensure the tool is performing at its best and to improve its durability and longevity. The motor and the impact mechanism are two independent systems and 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). It is recommended to use 10-15 drops of IR #10 Air Tool Oil in the air inlet, followed by a few seconds of running the tool to distribute the oil through the motor. If the tool is being used for extended periods without a lubricator, the oil should be reapplied after a few hours. This should also be done before storing the tool to prevent corrosion.

The impact mechanism can be lubricated in two ways, depending on the system the tool uses:

• Grease impact mechanism: Grease is applied only to the contact points between the anvil and hammer to prevent friction. Regular grease replenishment is necessary as, over time, the grease will move from the contact points to the outside of the hammer, causing increased friction and heat, and eventually leading to tool failure.
• Oil bath impact mechanism: The entire front part of the impact wrench is submerged in oil, ensuring constant lubrication of the contact points and reducing maintenance needs. To change the oil, open the wrench carefully, drain and dispose of the old oil, and replace it with new oil suitable for impact systems, such as SAE30.

It is important to only use cleaners and grease recommended by the manufacturer and to follow the tool manual or consult a service provider for specific instructions.

In addition to lubrication, proper storage and maintenance of your impact wrench are crucial. Keep your impact wrench in a dry, enclosed space when not in use. To prevent water contamination, drain and purge your entire air system, from the compressor to the tools, on a weekly basis. Avoid connecting worn or dirty hose couplers to your tool, as this can transfer contaminants into the motor. Instead, use an air hose reel suspended from the ceiling to keep the hose and couplers off the floor and away from dirt and debris.

Frequently asked questions