My Flex 3401 Modification

richy

richy

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Lately my 3401 has been getting hot. I had seen a post on FB where someone took the shroud off their Rupes 21. I tried it and loved it. I could get closer to things and I liked how it handled better. Also, it seemed to run cooler than before too.

I tried removing the shroud on my 3401 but it needed some spacers to fit properly. Today I got some washers and did it. The handle fits nice and snugly and I believe it'll run cooler this way.

I'll be testing it this weekend on a 1969 Lincoln. Here's what it looks like:








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Wow Pretty cool!! Please let us know how it goes!! I have learned that with ear plugs you save a lot of fatigue from the Flex 3401 or for any other DA for that matter (like my PC7424XP).

But the mod seems real cool!!
 
I sure will guys! I concentrate on my music in the background or sometimes I wear earbuds to listen. My biggest concern with the unit is it was getting too hot. I'll know (and update) this weekend whether this helps or not.
 
If you have a Heat Detector or something alike it would help with temp .
 
I wanted to update this thread since I posted it. I have used it for 2 weekends since removing the shroud. It made very little difference as far as it getting too hot. (You can see how it affects the pad in the centre due to the heat). Other than placing it in front of the a/c unit (which was used only one of the two weekends), then there is little that can be done to cool it effectively. Compressed air doesn't help.

I had it into the repair depot this past winter so I'm disappointed that it is running hot, although to be fair, that was not what it was sent in for...BUT...I did tell them to go through it and make sure it was performing well. I called them on the phone and he explained their testing procedure. It doesn't sound like they put much of a load on it.

That's why I have switched to my Rupes with the TB pad for corrections.
 
Been having this issue with mine. TBH my rotary runs cooler, smoother and corrects faster. My just stick with my rotary and pick up a BOSS G21
 
Why don't you take completely apart and clean it so the air flow is not restricted. Ck all the bearings your self if you can feel any thing they are bad.
 
Smokinss said:
Been having this issue with mine. TBH my rotary runs cooler, smoother and corrects faster. My just stick with my rotary and pick up a BOSS G21
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There's a lot of things I like about the 3401 and I just want it back running the way it used to. My rotary is heavy and I don't feel like getting a lighter one. I have used it when I need a bear to correct.

mbkite said:
Why don't you take completely apart and clean it so the air flow is not restricted. Ck all the bearings your self if you can feel any thing they are bad.
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With all due respect, I'm good at cleaning things....taking them apart and knowing what to look for? Not so good. I just wished it had been properly fixed the first time.
 
Richy you are very good at detailing I have been following you on all the forums .. And hay I love your jokes too...
 
It has more to do with its design than anything else . Bet that the Flexes run hot , too hot , not good for the electric motor in there .

When did you got it mate !
 
mbkite said:
Richy you are very good at detailing I have been following you on all the forums .. And hay I love your jokes too...
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Thanks very much. Glad you enjoy my sick sense of humour too! (although for that you need to go to L2D)

sproketser said:
It has more to do with its design than anything else . Bet that the Flexes run hot , too hot , not good for the electric motor in there .

When did you got it mate !
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I got it maybe 3 years ago?
 
Sounds like perhaps the gearset needs some lube. If I recall correctly when the 3401 first hit the market here some of the early ones didn't have any lube on the bevel gears, and everyone was taking theirs apart to check.

Perhaps due to the heavy use yours gets the lube has been dispersed and needs to be repacked. I don't remember how hard it was to get to...and I can't really find anything...maybe it was the needle bearing in this thread: Autopia Forum - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

There was also this one that linked some other threads but they didn't seem to be much help: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/68327-very-hot-flex-xc-3401-a.html
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Sounds like perhaps the gearset needs some lube. If I recall correctly when the 3401 first hit the market here some of the early ones didn't have any lube on the bevel gears, and everyone was taking theirs apart to check.

Perhaps due to the heavy use yours gets the lube has been dispersed and needs to be repacked. I don't remember how hard it was to get to...and I can't really find anything...maybe it was the needle bearing in this thread: Autopia Forum - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum

There was also this one that linked some other threads but they didn't seem to be much help: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/68327-very-hot-flex-xc-3401-a.html
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for posting those links. I need to disassemble mine and grease it by the sounds of it. I just wish someone had put up pics or done a video of it. I don't mind doing a job like that if I've got step by step instructions with pics.
 
E92M3_Mark said:
How does the Rupes cut with the tuff buff pads?
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Mark, sorry for the delay in answering. I prefer the Flex but it is OK. The Rupes still cuts better with the TB than with a mf pad.
 
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