Re: Impact wrench advice

[bearbvd@domain.elided (Greg Hermann)]

One of the BIG reasons why I (earlier) suggested obtaining a HAND tool
which would generate enough leverage to do the job (without requiring a
subsequent trip to the quackopractor) is that using an impact tool on a
part in close proximity to anti-friction bearings (such as is the case with
the companion flange on a differ's pinion shaft) is _NOT_ a wise thing to
do.

One can often and quite easily end up with brinnelled bearings as a result
of use of an impact tool for this sort of a job. The end result of this
kind of an insult to the bearing will often be that it will have a _very_
short life expectancy !

Greg

At 4:50 PM 7/2/02, Mark Denovich wrote:
>For less than $200 you are stuck with 1/2" or less impact wrenches.
>Unfortunately, you won't get significantly more grunt from one of these
>than you can get from a 1/2" ratchet (possibly with cheater pipe.)  In
>my experience I can muscle things loose with a 1/2" ratchet that my 1/2"
>impact wrench won't budge.  The hammering action of an impact wrench can
>help a little but it's no magic bullet.
>
>For significant torque you need to go up to a 3/4" or 1" impact wrench.
>  Unfortunately these aren't cheap (generally $300+) and you need a lot
>of air.  This means big hoses from the compressor to the wrench, along
>with a big compressor, probably 2-stage 5 real-hp or better (not to be
>confused with Sears-hp).   Again not cheap.   Oh yeah, the sockets
>aren't cheap either.
>
>So unless you are planning to invest, try a different angle:
>
>heat, penetrating oil (I like PB-Blaster), and a 3' section of thick
>wall black pipe to slip over the end of a 1/2" breaker bar.
>
>You'll either get it loose, shear it off, or realize it's not coming loose.
>
>        --Mark
>        --been there, done that
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