Flex 3401 vs 4inch backing plate system carnage

kosmetikwerks

kosmetikwerks

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I'll let some of the pictures I took speak for itself!!











Been giving my rupes alot of love lately but decided to switch back to the Flex 3401 for correction here and there. I decided I wanted it to be a bit more diverse so I purchased the backing plate system with the 4 and the 6 inch backing plates. Then took advantage of black Friday sales and purchased a starter amount of pads for it 5xhybrid orange 5inch 5xhybrid white 5inch. This is what happened after 5 corrections.

didn't get to far into this one..got the hood and fender partially corrected. Used Flex 3401 w/ 4 inch plate, speed 6, HD cut, LC hybrid orange pad. Vehicle is an Audi a3 SLine




:)


This ever happened to anyone?
 
Holy crap! I just ordered one of those! I hope you didn't damage the vehicle.
 
Assuming this is the lake country backing plate....did you use the included washers and bolt or did you use the bolt that came with the flex?

There is information about potential damage from using the wrong bolt.
 
I've only used the factory back plates and have never had an issue like this.
 
I had this happen with my first LC backing plate. Ran it at speed 6 and got about as far as you did into a correction before it melted.
AG replaced it and it picked up another. Installed on both my 3401s, swapped out after each panel and never went about speed 5. A few corrections later and one melted.
I have been using my 3rd and final one on speed 4 or less and its hanging in there for now.
I have also have a flex backing plate at the machine shop getting turned down to fit my 5" pads. I plan to have another done and leave LC plates to the guys who have had better luck.
 
Audios S6 said:
Assuming this is the lake country backing plate....did you use the included washers and bolt or did you use the bolt that came with the flex?

There is information about potential damage from using the wrong bolt.
Click to expand...

Yeah I used the bolt and washer included with the kit.
 
Muddyoldgoat said:
I had this happen with my first LC backing plate. Ran it at speed 6 and got about as far as you did into a correction before it melted.
AG replaced it and it picked up another. Installed on both my 3401s, swapped out after each panel and never went about speed 5. A few corrections later and one melted.
I have been using my 3rd and final one on speed 4 or less and its hanging in there for now.
I have also have a flex backing plate at the machine shop getting turned down to fit my 5" pads. I plan to have another done and leave LC plates to the guys who have had better luck.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I took a closer look it seems to have melted a bit also. Was working great and correcting as I wanted until she broke. Kinda sucks if your limited to speed with this backing plate option.
 
Been there broke that!

Didn't last but a few hours on AFO for me. I did talk to LC and they were looking for a way to improve the Interchangeable backing plate system. A great thing about LC is they will change it out for you and get you a new one or AG.

Can't beat great customer service all the way around.

IMO it needs to be metal just like the stock Flex BP are.
 
I am so glad I did not pull the trigger on the kit for BF sales. There were 2 reviews on AG and both said they melted/busted. Instead I went with some 6.5 Hybrid pads to be safe. Looks like that move was the right one. Good luck getting it replaced and all squared away, I know they will make good on it.
 
I have never had an issue with mine. I've used it since July with no problems, usually at speed 5.
 
I had the exact thing happen on my first plate and AG replaced it at no charge ( I did have the 2 small washers in place). So far, so good on the replacement. Mine just seemed to break with no melting involved. Good luck.
 
Audios S6 said:
Assuming this is the lake country backing plate....did you use the included washers and bolt or did you use the bolt that came with the flex?

There is information about potential damage from using the wrong bolt.
Click to expand...

What is unique about the bolt and washer vs. the standard bolt and washer?
 
Speed SIX???? :eek:
Considering it'll correct like crazy, all day at speed 4. :)


I'm at a loss for words. :dunno:


And that is rare indeed! ;)
 
99C5Coupe said:
What is unique about the bolt and washer vs. the standard bolt and washer?
Click to expand...


The length of the bolt.

When you use the adapter system you adding,

1. The adapter plate.
2. The backing plate.

There is an increase in thickness for these two components that require a longer bolt to have enough bolt thread depth into the spindle to handle the load.

If you switch back to the factory backing plate you must use the factory. Lot as the adapter kit bolt would be WAY too long.

I've NEVER had an issue using the LC 4" backing plate.

I also cover all this in depth in my Flex how t o book and on this forum.


:)
 
cardaddy said:
Speed SIX???? :eek:
Considering it'll correct like crazy, all day at speed 4. :)


I'm at a loss for words. :dunno:


And that is rare indeed! ;)
Click to expand...

:iagree:

Honestly there is no need to run speed 6 to correct the entire vehicle. Maybe just maybe, for spot repair but nothing more than speed five for the vehicle.

I'm still on the original release LC backing plate system with single washer for both plates and have had no issue. Same goes for the Hybrid pads. Still original release pads from '11.
 
Maybe I need to look into Mike's book on the flex because I use the flex on speed 6 for cutting all day with M105. I will try it on slower speeds and see how it does.

I think I'm going to stay away from the LC plates for a while, too. Was thinking about getting them until seeing how many people have had problems.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
:iagree:

Honestly there is no need to run speed 6 to correct the entire vehicle. Maybe just maybe, for spot repair but nothing more than speed five for the vehicle.

I'm still on the original release LC backing plate system with single washer for both plates and have had no issue. Same goes for the Hybrid pads. Still original release pads from '11.
Click to expand...

When do fairly heavy correction I usually run on speed 6 especially on the parts of the cars that take a few years of winter snow brush abuse up here in Canada. I tackle hood, upper fenders and for this case had to hit the hatch under the wiper with a little more jam also to correct the damage. I corrected the lower portion of the vehicle which was less correction to be done on speed 5.
 
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