My impact wrench is making a grinding noise and sparking - is it toast?

Hey guys, need some help with my cordless impact wrench (brand: PowerPro 20V). Lately it's been making this awful grinding noise when I use it, and yesterday I saw some sparks coming from near the motor housing. It still works but feels weak and wobbles a bit. Battery is fully charged. Is this something I can fix or should I just toss it and buy a new one? I use it mostly for automotive stuff in my garage.

Whoa, STOP using that immediately! Sparks mean something is seriously wrong - could be a short circuit or worn brushes. You're risking a fire or shock. Unplug the battery and don't power it on again until you've inspected it. First, check if there's any visible damage to the housing or wires. If you're not comfortable with electrical stuff, take it to a repair shop. Safety first, always!

Steve's right about stopping use. Sounds like worn motor brushes or a bearing failure. Grinding noise + sparks + wobble = classic combo. If it's less than 3 years old, check if it's under warranty. If not, you might be able to replace the brushes yourself - some models have accessible brush caps. But if the armature is damaged, it's probably dead. For a PowerPro, parts can be pricey... might be cheaper to upgrade to a newer model.

I've had a few impacts do this over the years. Usually it's the brushes arcing as they wear down. If you're handy, you can pop it open (make sure battery is OUT!). Look for carbon dust buildup around the motor - that's from the brushes wearing. Clean it out with compressed air. If the commutator looks scored or burnt, it's toast. But if it's just dirty brushes, you can sometimes file them smooth and get more life. Here's a vid I used last time: [link to welding forum tutorial]. Just don't shock yourself!