Flex 3401 vs 4inch backing plate system carnage

**kosmetikwerks** · 12-01-2015, 08:38 PM

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?

**7PaintGuns** · 12-01-2015, 08:40 PM

Holy crap! I just ordered one of those! I hope you didn't damage the vehicle.

**Audios S6** · 12-01-2015, 08:52 PM

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.

**Boejoula** · 12-01-2015, 08:56 PM

I've only used the factory back plates and have never had an issue like this.

**Muddyoldgoat** · 12-01-2015, 09:12 PM

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.

**kosmetikwerks** · 12-01-2015, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Audios S6

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.

Yeah I used the bolt and washer included with the kit.

**kosmetikwerks** · 12-01-2015, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Muddyoldgoat

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.

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.

**Evan.J** · 12-01-2015, 09:36 PM

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.

**wytstang** · 12-02-2015, 11:44 AM

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.