Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
New 4" and 6" Backing Plates for Flex 3401
These are prototypes Eric Dunn sent me to test and evaluate, we'll be stocking these when the design is finalized and they go into production.
On the left is the 6" backing plate, center is the 4" backing plate and on the right is the interface plate that enables you to switch between either the 6" or the 4" backing plate.
Here's a view of the other side so you can see the ribs for strength, the plate itself is very rigid and this is part of the design that does away with the felt ring.
The protruding tabs lock into the slots on the interface plate and then both are bolted to the spindle.
Here's a shot showing size comparison between the new backing plates on the right and the existing backing plates on the left.
The stock backing plate that comes with the Flex 3401 measures 5 7/16"
The new 6" backing plate actually measures a little larger than 6" inches to full support the back of a 6.5" pad. This dimension is subject to change in the final production versions.
On the left hand side is the factory backing plate on a 6.5" foam pad and the new 6" backing plate on the exact same pad.
The picture is a little deceiving as the outer edge of the backing plate actually extends "almost" to the outer edge of the back of the pad. Again, this dimension is subject to change in the final version. Currently the diameter = 6 7/16"
Here's the 4 3/8" backing plate on a 5.5" foam pad...
The 4 3/8" backing plate is too large to use safely with a 4" spot repair pad
Here's the new 4" backing plate with a 4" pad
Ready for some testing...
We'll be trying these out on a 1986 Buick Regal that we're working on for our first "Autogeek's Car of the Week" project.
Autogeek's Car of the Week - 1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo
On Autogeek.net
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System
:xyxthumbs:
These are prototypes Eric Dunn sent me to test and evaluate, we'll be stocking these when the design is finalized and they go into production.
On the left is the 6" backing plate, center is the 4" backing plate and on the right is the interface plate that enables you to switch between either the 6" or the 4" backing plate.
Here's a view of the other side so you can see the ribs for strength, the plate itself is very rigid and this is part of the design that does away with the felt ring.
The protruding tabs lock into the slots on the interface plate and then both are bolted to the spindle.
Here's a shot showing size comparison between the new backing plates on the right and the existing backing plates on the left.
The stock backing plate that comes with the Flex 3401 measures 5 7/16"
The new 6" backing plate actually measures a little larger than 6" inches to full support the back of a 6.5" pad. This dimension is subject to change in the final production versions.
On the left hand side is the factory backing plate on a 6.5" foam pad and the new 6" backing plate on the exact same pad.
The picture is a little deceiving as the outer edge of the backing plate actually extends "almost" to the outer edge of the back of the pad. Again, this dimension is subject to change in the final version. Currently the diameter = 6 7/16"
Here's the 4 3/8" backing plate on a 5.5" foam pad...
The 4 3/8" backing plate is too large to use safely with a 4" spot repair pad
Here's the new 4" backing plate with a 4" pad
Ready for some testing...
We'll be trying these out on a 1986 Buick Regal that we're working on for our first "Autogeek's Car of the Week" project.
Autogeek's Car of the Week - 1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo
On Autogeek.net
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System
:xyxthumbs:
