Chirping Sound in 3401 Flex Polisher

**Danube** · 03-04-2015, 06:17 PM

This is an old tread however I'm now experiencing the same problem with my 3401. It works fine for now but I'm getting that chirping/squeaking noise.

One of the options is to oil the gears, but which oil to use?

To me, the sound sounds like a dry bearing ..

Any suggestions guys??

**FrankS** · 03-04-2015, 06:26 PM

At the time I had this issue my Flex 3401 was still under warranty so I had it sent for service and it's been working fine ever since, never had that issue again.

You can contact them if it's still under warranty. Here's a link to their service page on their website.

Service Information - Flex North America, Inc. - Your Supplier for All Power Tools

They may be using a different website since you are in Australia.

**Danube** · 03-04-2015, 06:34 PM

Mine is out of warranty, purchased back in 2012.

Any ideas?

**FrankS** · 03-04-2015, 06:38 PM

I think my issue had to do with the bearings, but not exactly sure. You may want to contact them anyway and see if they know what it is or what they charge to fix it.

**erieautodetail** · 07-11-2016, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by FrankS

I have noticed a chirping sound coming from my Flex 3401 polisher that I haven’t heard before. The sound is heard when I first start using it and after a while the sound goes away. Any idea what this could be. The polisher is about 1-1/2 years old and I have only buffed out about 5 vehicles.

Ok guys, this took me a long time to figure this out. Finally found this forum and it got me going on the correct path. If your FLEX 3401 is making a squeaking or chirping sound here is how to fix it. Or at least how I did.

Take the backing plate off. Then take off the four screws that hold the houseing. Obviously, this is beneath the backing plate. After you take the housing off you will see a gear that spins sticking out of the middle of the unit. I sprayed the hell out of that with some Fluid Film Lubricant. Sound went away! You can run the buffer with everything off to confirm before putting it back together.

So relieved as I thought I was going to need to send in for repair or buy a new one. Not sure if the fluid film will last. I should have had the correct machine grease whatever type that may be but I did not have any. I'll post back and let you know how long this lasted. But if you don't here from me the fluid film is still working. Maybe someone can let us know what is the correct grease and where to buy it.

Now if I was going to have had to buy a new buffer, after tons of research, I would not have bought a flex but the Rupes Bigfoot lhr15 mark II. But that is a different topic.

**VISITOR** · 07-11-2016, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by erieautodetail

Now if I was going to have had to buy a new buffer, after tons of research, I would not have bought a flex but the Rupes Bigfoot lhr15 mark II. But that is a different topic.

no one polisher or brand is going to be exempt from having any problems/issues, it happens to the best of them...