Quick Question/Air Compressor+Impact Wrench

[robb15033]

How many pounds of air is needed to properly operate an impact wrench in the garage? Using it to remove rusted O2 bolt threaded in bung hole. Want to remove it, have had no luck using 125lbs of air and an impact wrench. Would not budge. Thank You Again- Robb

 

[ivan12]

125-150 usually does the job for me for everyday use. But when something won't budge and I have enough space around me I don't even stop and think, I grab my breaker bar and an old jack handle for leverage. If that doesn't work then it's time to chop stuff off.

 

[Musturd]

This o2 bung is still messing with you? Have you taken the mid pipe out yet ? If not do that ! Otherwise drill a new hole a weld in a new bung for a u2 sensor. Alot of the time when ur house hold compressor and impact ain't stronger then you.

 

[robb15033]

Yep, still messing with it. Its the passengers side primary sensor. I managed to get some time after my shift using some heavy duty ass equipment at work but it didn't budge. I do not work with impact wrenches, ever. I have zero room for leverage. To remove the headers, disassemble my welded exhaust pipe is not something I can do on my own. The bung is on the headers, I have divorce duals, no mid pipe, all welded together. I don't even have a garage at home. My bedroom is 50% car parts ect.. So, I'm trying to the best I can with what I got and wanted to double check that the big ass air compressor i was using was adequate for the job. I replaced the other side a year ago and the impact wrench took it off immediately and the job was done in 20 minutes. This has turned into 12 hours. I am persistent, a little hopeless maybe. If I have to disassemble the exhaust, then it's time to get new headers, and primaries with cats. The cats have 250K miles on them. I just don;t have the cash right now to get the parts I want. Thanks for the answers. I appreciate it alot.

 

[CC'S95GT]

have you tried to run the engine long enough to get the pipe good and hot then hit it with the impact?

 

[g36 monkey]

^ That was my next guess. Heat does weird stuff not nuts n bolts. Try that, or hitting it with a torch for a bit.

 

[OnyxCobra]

I think 90 psi is what Ingersoll Rand recommends for my impact but a lot of shops run higher.

 

[CC'S95GT]

the size of the hose can make a differance too.shop air hoses are usually 1/4 or 3/8.. bigger is better.

 

[1997gtRioRed]

what kind of impact? i have an ingersoll rand 2135timax, running 150 psi line pressure at work. have yet to find anything that it cant loosen/shear off.

 

[joekd]

I dont think it's your pressure as much as the gun itself. 125lbs should not only be th emax but may even be past the max rating of a lot of impacts. See what kind of ft lbs your impact is rated for. I had one given to me that was purchased at tractor supply, couldnt even break lugs loose with that thing.

 

[robb15033]

OK, Cool. All very good information. I am going to dig around some more and look for additional tools and their ratings. I have not tried it hot but I am going to. The compressor was set up for 120lbs and I increased it to 125 and left it. I will check the tool box we have on site for something better. Thanks alot. I should of heated it up to begin with, but I'll give it a try now. See ya-

 

[fastbanshee1999]

Do you have a soldering torch or anything you can heat it up with? Propane torch?Heat that thing up and hit it with the impact right away and it should come loose

 

[joekd]

OK, Cool. All very good information. I am going to dig around some more and look for additional tools and their ratings. I have not tried it hot but I am going to. The compressor was set up for 120lbs and I increased it to 125 and left it. I will check the tool box we have on site for something better. Thanks alot. I should of heated it up to begin with, but I'll give it a try now. See ya-

Again, the PSI you run to the impact is not nearly as important as it's rated ft lbs, if it isn't marked on the impact itself look up the model online

I've seen some that were only rated for 60 ft lbs

 

[g36 monkey]

if you cant get an impact on it still, whack the thing with a hammer after heating it up. Sometimes bolts need a jolt like that to break loose.

GM head bolts its reccomended to do this so you don't shear them when you pull them. I imagine a bolt that goes into your car experiences much of the same hell.

 

[robb15033]

Thanks for the ideas, I will utilize all of them. I plan on visiting my sister this weekend, my broyher n law has a garage, works as a mechanic. We'll get it done, in addition to some other issues I want to address. My Father in Law passed away the other night so I will be attending family issues/needs for a few days. Thanks for the help. I am going to check but I believe the PSI of the wrench I was using was too low. Thanks again-

 

[robb15033]

Very happy to say, Mission Accomplished. Only took two weeks and twenty hours, but I GOT MY O2 SENSOR REPLACED! Yes, that's right, got it in place. Removing the broken sensor bolt with some heat and leverage got it out. Finally. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Willis_98GT]

Do you have a soldering torch or anything you can heat it up with? Propane torch?Heat that thing up and hit it with the impact right away and it should come loose

That was going to be my suggestion +1 for sure