IR 231 issue

[302]

I've got an IR 231HA that's about 3 years old now. Only issue until this point has been a gasket that needed to be replaced, I snagged one from a spare gun that was laying around at the shop.


Anyway, when I'm using it, it sometimes changes speed on its own. Sometimes when it's rattling away snugging a bolt down it will also change directions, or the button will move at least part way between forward and reverse. When the knob actually stays in place it's as strong as it's ever been (oiled daily)

The knob has no min/max anymore, it doesn't stop anywhere and will just spin and spin but does still change the speeds - I need to adjust speed by ear. It's annoying when you're taking wheels off and need to stop, take the socket off, hold the trigger down and adjust the speed and then start again.


I have a 1200K on the way so this won't be much of an annoyance anymore but I want to get it fixed and ready to go in case I need a backup gun.


Any ideas what might be wrong?

 

[stikman56]

Sounds like the spring for the detente ball on the valve has broken,. You'd have to take it out to see. There should be an allen screw on the knob, remove it and slide the valve out. Be very careful,those tiny balls like to fly out, and it's on the left side if you're holding the gun like you're using it and it's close to the edge, it'll come up when you slide the valve just a little bit out.

 

[302]

It's just that easy eh? Thanks! Gonna wait til my new gun gets here before I make any attempts at diagnosis/repair on this one (not much flat rate $ with no impact gun) but I'll do exactly what you said and report back.


Would I just get a new spring, put it in with the detente ball and slide the valve back in - hopefully without losing the ball. Should probably get another ball when I inevitably lose this one.

Thanks!

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I would get a rebuild kit and do the whole thing. 26 dollars at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011T9WVC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[its840]

The 231 is one of the most reliable impacts that ive ever used..
i would suggest to pick up a rebuild kit off flea bay or amazon.
and it will be as good as new.. there are also companies that specialize
in rebuilding air tools..

 

[stikman56]

It's just that easy eh? Thanks! Gonna wait til my new gun gets here before I make any attempts at diagnosis/repair on this one (not much flat rate $ with no impact gun) but I'll do exactly what you said and report back.


Would I just get a new spring, put it in with the detente ball and slide the valve back in - hopefully without losing the ball. Should probably get another ball when I inevitably lose this one.

Thanks!

If that's what was wrong, yeah,new spring and ball is what I would do. There should be two o-rings in there too,I'd replace those while I was in there. Rest the ball on the spring, slide it in facing as upright as you can, (they fall off easy) get the ball to the edge, then I use my fingernail, push down on the ball as I'm keeping a tiny bit of inward pressure on the valve and it slides right in.

That 1200K will fool you. They do a good job of breaking bolts that are rusted and refuse to turn. I used to like to get ahold of the rusty 1/2" studs on the old air bags and throw the Nitrocat on it until they break off, air bag off, new one on. It's quiet and smooth and a lot stronger all at the same time.....

 

[302]

Thanks again! I don't deal with a lot of rusted stuff anymore, I made the move from indy to dealer about a month ago. Working on new cars with bolt threads that you can actually still see is like a vacation.

It was between the 2135 titanium that I know and love and a 1200K for me. The 2135 will break anything it doesn't remove so I figured the 1200K was gonna be in the same boat since the numbers are comparable as it's often debated which is better!


Does the ball/spring come in a rebuild kit? If so, I was going to rebuild it anyway. I've never rebuilt a gun before and a dinosaur like the 231 seems like a good place to start.

 

[stikman56]

Yeah, those parts should be in the kit.

 

[302]

Thanks bud. I'll revive the thread when I open the gun up.


Any recommendations for grease for one of these bad boys?

 

[302]

Got the aircat (it's a monster) and took the 231 apart. Well, pulled the valve out at least...the detent ball and spring aren't even there.