Flex 3401 - Is this normal???

Sorry if I'm hijacking, but is the felt ring supposed to be touching the backing plate at all? I've read through all of the Flex rash posts and none are very clear on that.



I think what I'm reading is that yes, the felt ring is supposed to be touching the backing plate but that the application of oil to the felt ring will prevent the excessive friction that is causing the backing plate to melt. Is that correct?



My felt ring is very, very snug and definitely could not be "slipping" down like some people have reported. But the backing plate is definitely laying right on top of the felt ring. I can't get the felt ring to go down any farther. Is that okay?
 
Holden_C04 said:
All these issues with other polishers, yet my Dewalt keeps going and going and going...:p:p
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Heh heh, I'd been thinking along those lines myself, only from a Cyclo-centric perspective: "Why, if I can't get 20-some years without any maintenance..."



Now if I didn't like the Flex 3401 so much...sheesh, I might need two of those things too :o Might oughta sell a rotary or two to fund the purchase :think:
 
MDRX8 said:
I have had my Flex for 2 years and have never done any maintenance. What do I need to do?
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Smart-aleck response: "count your blessings" :chuckle:



But seriously...there are some threads that go into detail about some parts that aren't/should be lubricated. I doesn't *sound* like yours has that problem as I'd expect you'd know it by now, but :nixweiss



If your felt ring and backing plate look OK and there are no weird wear patterns on the ring gear, I'd just look into the lubrication thing (i.e., search, as I don't really know the details) and not worry.



Other than factory goof-ups regarding shoulda-lubed stuff, I *still* wonder if the longevity of Flex 3401s is related to how they're used :confused:
 
I usually run it at a 2 to 3 setting not very fast. But I will check on the lube part.



Accumulator said:
Smart-aleck response: "count your blessings" :chuckle:



But seriously...there are some threads that go into detail about some parts that aren't/should be lubricated. I doesn't *sound* like yours has that problem as I'd expect you'd know it by now, but :nixweiss



If your felt ring and backing plate look OK and there are no weird wear patterns on the ring gear, I'd just look into the lubrication thing (i.e., search, as I don't really know the details) and not worry.



Other than factory goof-ups regarding shoulda-lubed stuff, I *still* wonder if the longevity of Flex 3401s is related to how they're used :confused:
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A quick update!



I contacted Flex and they sent me a felt ring, ring gear and backing plate.



I was still worried about the internals so I sent the unit to a repair center in order to get the unit inspected. They changed a bearing. It looks like part 259.148 on the diagram.



I don't think they changed the needle roller bearing.
 
Xcessiv- Hope the repair didn't cost too much and that it holds up for a good long time. If you don't mind my asking, where did you send it?
 
It was all free! :woohoo:



Excellent service from Flex... It took 1 week to receive the replacement parts in Canada and the shop covered everything under warranty including shipping back.



The shop was Gran Quartz in Stanstead, Quebec.
 
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