HELP!! I think I killed my flex?

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 12:05 PM

OK, here's my bad day story. My wife got me a pad washer from AG for our anniversary tomorrow. Thought I would give it a whirl. I followed the instructions. When drying the pad I lifted the pressure. I must have gone to high or something. It got caught and ripped the back plate and holder right out of the flex.

Here are my pictures. Am I hosed? Its only a month or so old

**loudog2** · 02-13-2010, 12:09 PM

That bolt looks snapped. Anything is repairable, but at what cost?

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 12:14 PM

The question is how do I get replacement parts or do I have to ship to Germany? On a positive note, I tried Wolfgang TSR for the first time on a test are that I've been frustrated with and I'm amazed. I'm not sure I even have to follow it with another polish.

**A4 1.8tqm** · 02-13-2010, 12:35 PM

Looks like part 322.105 from the spare parts list broke. It's the slotted piece that the backing plates attachment bolt screws into. It looks easily replaceable on paper... It goes through a bearing (part 259.148) and is held in place with what looks like a retaining ring (part 102.091). If you could get the part (322.105) I bet you could fix it, but you better leave it to the service center.

**pokey** · 02-13-2010, 12:56 PM

Thanks. Now I just need to figure out where to get parts from or who can I ship to fix. I'm hoping a call to AG headquarters on Monday will guide me. Thanks for the part numbers.

**loudog2** · 02-13-2010, 01:30 PM

It should be under warranty. Just try to avoid telling Flex USA it happened in the pad washer. Or call AG now and tell them it happened with the pad washer you bought from them.

**A4 1.8tqm** · 02-13-2010, 01:32 PM

No prob and good luck!

I pulled my backing plate off and almost started pulling apart the machine and taking pics. Figured that was a bad idea... You may be able to get the part out by removing the retaining ring in your first pic. NOT THAT I RECOMMEND TRYING!!

**O.C.Detailing** · 02-13-2010, 03:03 PM

Just as a note, the pad washer is supposed to be used with a rotary, not with a DA polisher. YOu should never turn your DA up to full power without it touching the surface of something you're polishing as the stress induced by the oscillation and rotations will cause catastrophic damage like that. Good luck with your repacement parts or repairs though.

**loudog2** · 02-13-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by O.C.Detailing

Just as a note, the pad washer is supposed to be used with a rotary, not with a DA polisher. YOu should never turn your DA up to full power without it touching the surface of something you're polishing as the stress induced by the oscillation and rotations will cause catastrophic damage like that. Good luck with your repacement parts or repairs though.

He got the BP caught on the underside of the lid.

**O.C.Detailing** · 02-13-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by loudog2

He got the BP caught on the underside of the lid.

I understand that, but that doesn't change the fact that the pad washer is still made to be used with a rotary and not with a DA polisher. DA polishers all come with warnings not to use them at higher speeds without being in contact with the surface you're polishing. Just passing the word in case someone didn't know.