IR2135 TiMax 1/2" impact gun - Gutless???

[Davefr]

Background:
The gun has only been used a couple times since new. I went to remove caliper bracket bolts from a 3/4T Sierra. Factory manual says to torque these bolts to 221 ft lbs and use Loctite. These factory bolts have never been removed before and weren't particularly rusty or badly corroded.

The gun failed to break them free despite the guns rating of 750 ft lbs. Had to use a 24" breaker bar and lots of force.

I admit my pneumatic setup wasn't optimal. (ie 2 ea 50' X 3/8" curly hoses and generic couplings/fittings).

Questions:
1. Should this gun have been able to break them free? Were my expectations overly optimistic?
2. Is the IR 750 ft lb spec bogus. (like motor HP ratings).
3. Could required breakaway torque have have really exceeded re-installation torque by >3X. (due to Loctite, age, etc)
4. Is there a huge degradation factor based on setup. (ie hoses/fittings)

Other then this experience the gun has seemed to perform just fine.

TIA for any insight.

 

[Superbec]

Background:


Questions:
1. Should this gun have been able to break them free? Were my expectations overly optimistic?

I have a more powerfull one (rated) and sometimes some bolts just don't move..

2. Is the IR 750 ft lb spec bogus. (like motor HP ratings).

I believe so, but it goes for every manufacturer out there.

3. Could required breakaway torque have have really exceeded re-installation torque by >3X. (due to Loctite, age, etc)

I'm sure it can be, sometimes the bolts will just sever , like my van caliper bolts... bang.. 100 bucks for 2 bolts and sliders...

4. Is there a huge degradation factor based on setup. (ie hoses/fittings)

sure is , pressure drop below 6 bar will make any impact useless , even 3/4.

Other then this experience the gun has seemed to perform just fine.

TIA for any insight.

did you put a few drops of oil in him before use?

oil it, then spin it a few seconds then use it.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Low pressure makes impacts worth less. You don't mention your pressure at the tank, but if you are starting with less than 110 at the tank through that much hose you probably are shorting it. Lots of variables though, have to have a gauge at the gun to really know where you are at when the tool is running.

 

[md21722]

Low pressure makes impacts worth less. You don't mention your pressure at the tank, but if you are starting with less than 110 at the tank through that much hose you probably are shorting it. Lots of variables though, have to have a gauge at the gun to really know where you are at when the tool is running.

This. I remember once using an impact on the at the end of 2 x 50' hose and I remember "wow I can hear the difference, this thing has no power." You've got to use a gauge at the tool to measure running pressure and then use larger hose or more pressure in the tank or both.

 

[Davefr]

^^^ Thanks guys!!

I'm pretty sure I was starving the gun from adequate CFM's for the task. Tank regulator was set at 90 PSI but it was 100' upstream from the gun with several/couplings fittings and a whip in between.

 

[bcradio]

Your air setup was your problem here. Once that's squared away you should be good to go.

 

[gdocktor3]

A 100' of hose? Where were you working, down the street?? Lol

 

[AJ1978]

Those Series guns are great. My 1/2" I could run to break lugs off of my Porter Cable Pancake Compressor.

Flow is essential for proper operation, and the more 3/8 hoses the more friction loss, or PSI drop, along with Volume drop

Let us know.

 

[md21722]

The regulator at the tank is the starting point. You probably were losing 20 psi through the regulator and another 25 through the hose. That's why you put w gauge at the tool and turn the regulator at the tank up as needed.

 

[md21722]

A 100' of hose? Where were you working, down the street?? Lol

Sometimes you need 60' but only have 50' hoses.

 

[anndel]

I have the 2235TiQMax and it removed those caliper bracket bolts w/o issues but it wasn't a 3/4 ton GMC Sierra, it was a 1993 Toyota pickup and a 2005 Toyota Avalon. The length of your hose was the issue, CFM of your compressor, tank size, fittings all play a role. I have a 50 ft 3/8" hose, use Milton V fittings on a Husky 30 gallon compressor that puts out 5.3 cfm at 90 psi.

 

[Davefr]

A 100' of hose? Where were you working, down the street?? Lol

Those self retracting "curly" hoses are nice but probably not efficient. A 50' section only yields about 25-30' or actual working length.

From the compressor thru the garage and into the driveway to the truck is about 35'. (thus the need for 2 sections)

 

[Davefr]

Just to close on this thread, I recreated my setup to measure pressure loss.

I lost a whopping 35 PSI!! With the compressor at 90 PSI, I was only getting 55 PSI at the gun. I never realized line loss would be this huge!! To get 90 PSI at the gun I had to dial up the regulator to around 120 PSI.

The gun is hereby exonerated. The 'tard behind the trigger is not!! Thanks for the help!!

 

[anndel]

Just to close on this thread, I recreated my setup to measure pressure loss.

I lost a whopping 35 PSI!! With the compressor at 90 PSI, I was only getting 55 PSI at the gun. I never realized line loss would be this huge!! To get 90 PSI at the gun I had to dial up the regulator to around 120 PSI.

The gun is hereby exonerated. The 'tard behind the trigger is not!! Thanks for the help!!

Live and learn. I still have much to learn but good job finding the fault!

 

[TheGrooveking]

Don't forget to grease the unit, I've seen multiple well use IR impacts that were wimps that once greased surprised their owners with their grunt.

The Grooveking

 

[redmondjp]

Don't forget to grease the unit, I've seen multiple well use IR impacts that were wimps that once greased surprised their owners with their grunt.

The Grooveking

You mean take it apart and grease it? I have this same gun at home (used for lug nuts every month or two, so very light use). I just put a few drops of air tool oil in after every few uses. So far, so good, but if I need to grease it as well, I can do that.

 

[cdseven95]

You mean take it apart and grease it? I have this same gun at home (used for lug nuts every month or two, so very light use). I just put a few drops of air tool oil in after every few uses. So far, so good, but if I need to grease it as well, I can do that.

It has a grease fitting on the body

 

[redmondjp]

It has a grease fitting on the body

That's news to me! I'll have to go look at it.

OK, here is a good thread on the topic that explains it:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/387185-grease-fitting.html

 

[Loscaldazar]

You need a micro/mini grease gun to grease the fitting. It's not a grease zerk, but a little ball. Most people forget about this!

Also, are you sure those curly-q 3/8? I've only seen 1/4 curly hoses. Spent $20 on a goodyear or even better, a blubird blue hose (my favorite hose) 3/8 line and a $15 bucks on Milton V fittings. You'll have a better hose and much better power (and be able to run your impact longer at full power, since less pressure drop will be present in the lines).

 

[shockwave]

Those thread locked bolts are very tight and usually have to break by hand first even new impacts are not strong enough

The worst are the caliper bolt using torx that strip easily with impacts

 

[jhelrey]

PS: I run my gun at 155psi. Try that!