How to remove backing plate

[PhxDarius]

Here's a real life view of what you should be looking at...

You want to stick the wrench into this opening.

Attachment 47169


Keep it near the bottom. Your goal is to engage with the nut, in order to prevent the nut from being able to spin while you manually remove the backing plate by turning it counter clockwise.

Attachment 47170

The backing plate comes off very easy... Here's a pic of the nut you need to hold in place while removing the backing plate.

Attachment 47171

That's the best way I can explain it. I hope it helps.

WOW!! Everyone here is so nice! To actually take your own free time and upload pics to help another forum member out, really cool!

[AGOatemywallet]

WOW!! Everyone here is so nice! To actually take your own free time and upload pics to help another forum member out, really cool!

Ric is a real Sweetheart....just don't let him dress your tires.

He will blind you!

[shagnat]

The wrench is not holding the shaft? If the wrench is holding the shaft (nut) I don't see how the backing plate can free wheel.

Now you understand.... the wrench is NOT able to get on the nut properly due to the rivets on the top of the backing plate. Did not put the washer on prior to installing the backing plate.

[shagnat]

^ also to add, make sure wrench is secure on the bolt as pictured below where it says ' backing plate is inserted here ' and you should be able to turn/twist the backing plate off...

Thank you so much. I think I've got it now.... should it be sooooo tight a fit as it makes it difficult to secure the wrench on the shaft? Will the washer make much of a difference..... any difference?

[Eldorado2k]

Ric is a real Sweetheart....just don't let him dress your tires.

He will blind you!

😂😂😂
Hey I can't help it. Hyper Dressing@1:1 looks sweet. So does Endurance, and other good stuff

[Eldorado2k]

Thank you so much. I think I've got it now.... should it be sooooo tight a fit as it makes it difficult to secure the wrench on the shaft? Will the washer make much of a difference..... any difference?

No, the washer shouldn't make any difference. It sounds like it's the counterweight that's in your way... Simply move it out of the way and you should have a clear go.. I also assume the PC doesn't have a bit of an opening like my HF DA in order to make the insertion of the wrench easier?

[Mike Phillips]

I've goofed somehow....

Unable to get my backing plate off my PC 3424xp.

My wrench will not allow the backing plate to turn due to the screws rubbing against the wrench.

I'm guessing I didn't put the washer on before installing the backing plate..... so, what can I do??!!

Sounds like you attached the backing plate without the compressoin washer. I have an article on that....


Don't use your polisher without it!


That is... the Compression Washer



If you don't use a compression washer, the rivets on the backing plate attachment base will come into contact with the counterweight assembly on your DA Polisher.

Damage caused by not using the Compression Washer



Damaged and Gouged Metal
The rivets have gouged the metal because the compression washer was left off. Not only does it gouge the metal it will usually make a horrible noise and that should be your first clue to turn the polisher off and inspect for issues.




Treat the compression washer like GOLD. Don't lose it.


Keep the little rubber nut to lock it into place when not using that backing plate. It's probably more likely you'll own more backing plates into the future than less likely.

The Rubber Nut - Keeps the Compression Washer from getting lost and protects the threads when the backing plate is not in use.


I have scads of backing plates in drawer in the studio and it's nice reaching for a backing plate and having the spacer washer intact with the backing plate.



The Purpose of the Compression Washer

The compression washer performs multiple functions,


Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...

By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.

Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.


Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.


Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly




Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.




So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.


Compression washers do wear out with use, that is if you remove and replace backing plates often you're going to wear your compression washer out.



Autogeek carries replacements...

Lake Country Compression Washers 5-Pack

[Mike Phillips]

I've goofed somehow....

Unable to get my backing plate off my PC 3424xp.

My wrench will not allow the backing plate to turn due to the screws rubbing against the wrench.

I'm guessing I didn't put the washer on before installing the backing plate..... so, what can I do??!!

You need to slide the PC wrench in from the opposite side of the counterweight.

If you try to slide the wrench in from the side of the counterweight it's too tight of a fit as the wrench has to slide OVER the counterweight and it binds with both the counteweight and the back of the backing plate.

[shagnat]

Here's a real life view of what you should be looking at...

You want to stick the wrench into this opening.

Attachment 47169

Keep it near the bottom. Your goal is to engage with the nut, in order to prevent the nut from being able to spin while you manually remove the backing plate by turning it counter clockwise.

Attachment 47170

The backing plate comes off very easy... Here's a pic of the nut you need to hold in place while removing the backing plate.

Attachment 47171

That's the best way I can explain it. I hope it helps.

Great photos, however my 3424 doesn't have that cutout for the wrench........ hmmm......

[shagnat]

Sounds like you attached the backing plate without the compressoin washer. I have an article on that....


Don't use your polisher without it!


That is... the Compression Washer



If you don't use a compression washer, the rivets on the backing plate attachment base will come into contact with the counterweight assembly on your DA Polisher.

Damage caused by not using the Compression Washer



Damaged and Gouged Metal
The rivets have gouged the metal because the compression washer was left off. Not only does it gouge the metal it will usually make a horrible noise and that should be your first clue to turn the polisher off and inspect for issues.




Treat the compression washer like GOLD. Don't lose it.


Keep the little rubber nut to lock it into place when not using that backing plate. It's probably more likely you'll own more backing plates into the future than less likely.

The Rubber Nut - Keeps the Compression Washer from getting lost and protects the threads when the backing plate is not in use.


I have scads of backing plates in drawer in the studio and it's nice reaching for a backing plate and having the spacer washer intact with the backing plate.



The Purpose of the Compression Washer

The compression washer performs multiple functions,


Crushable Interface
The compression washer provides a crushable or malleable interface between two pieces of metal that are going to see a lot of pressure from being tightened together with a wrench and my guess is a lot of punishment from the operator. I punish all my tools... so it's not a reach to think others are going to punish their's too. Add to the above mix, the violent oscillating action of the tool on the highest speed setting and add to that t-i-m-e...

By time, I mean putting your polisher to work buffing out a car section-by-section, panel-after-panel. As Pros know and anyone that wants to get the job in a decent amount of time, when you start buffing out a car you have to keep the tool running and buffing on paint. There's no breaks. That's time of endured punishment.

Point being is you want and need the crushable interface between two pieces of metal on an electric tool capable of running at high OPM's.


Spacer
They also act as an actual spacer between the arbor or stud seat where there are the raised heads of a type of rivet or brad that anchors the arbor base to the the backing plate and the threaded portion of the Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly.


Free Rotating Spindle Bearing Assembly




Here you can see a compression washer seated at the base or seat of the 5/16" arbor or stud where it's attached into the backing plate surrounded by the raised heads of the rivets or attachment anchors.




So keep track of both the compression washer and the rubber nut and don't use your DA Polisher, be it a Porter Cable, Meguiar's or Griot's without it.


Compression washers do wear out with use, that is if you remove and replace backing plates often you're going to wear your compression washer out.



Autogeek carries replacements...

Lake Country Compression Washers 5-Pack

Terrific pictures and information. Newbies have so much to learn. I'll never throw away another rubber nut or washer!!