XCE 5" Backing Plate

Factory FLEX XCE 5 Inch Backing Plate

The FLEX XCE 5 inch backing plate (part 487.953) is the 125 mm hook-and-loop plate FLEX installs on new XCE 10-8 125 and cordless XCE 8 125 18.0-EC polishers. It does not thread on. Six molded lugs drop into the polisher's receiving disc and it is held by three M4 screws driven through the hook face, so a generic threaded plate cannot replace it. The hook face sits on 10 mm of medium-hardness polyurethane. Replace it when the hook face no longer holds a pad centered, or when the cushion cracks or tears.

Beyond the FLEX XCE 10-8 125 polisher, FLEX lists the same part for the XFE 7-15 150 random orbital, the 18-volt XFE 15 150, and the newer XCE 2 and XFE 2 battery machines. For hoods and roofs, the same machines take the XCE 6" backing plate, FLEX's optional 150 mm size on an identical mount. An XC 3401 VRG takes the 5.5-inch XC3401 backing plate instead, because that tool turns its plate on a keyed hub that won't fit an XCE receiving disc.

What Makes it Great:

🏭 Same Part FLEX Installs: Part 487.953 is the plate on a new XCE 10-8 125, so the replacement matches the original in diameter, cushion, and mount.

🌡️ Cooling Center Hole: A hole through the center of the plate vents the pad, and FLEX says it keeps pads cooler in use by preventing heat build-up.

🎯 Reach on Curves: A 125 mm face fits bumper corners, mirror housings, and A-pillars where a 150 mm pad would hang over the edge of the panel.

🔧 No Threaded Hub: The lugs set the plate's position and the screws carry the clamping force, so there is no threaded hub to seize on a spindle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you replace the backing plate on a FLEX XCE 10-8 125?

Unplug the polisher, peel off the pad, lay the machine on its back, and remove the three screws with the key that comes with the tool. Lift off the old plate, wipe out the receiving disc, line up the new plate's screw holes, and tighten the screws to 2.5-3.0 Nm (1.8-2.2 ft. lb.). Run the polisher briefly and check for vibration before you polish.

Should I use the 5 or 6 inch backing plate?

Many shops keep the stock 5-inch on for correction work around trim and body lines and swap to the 6-inch for large flat panels. Changing between them takes only the three screws, since both use the same receiving disc.

Does the XCE 5 inch plate fit the FLEX XFE 7-15?

Yes. FLEX's own listing calls 487.953 the 5-inch plate for the XFE 7-15, and FLEX ships it as standard on the XFE 7-15 150. The 3-inch XFE 7-12 80 mini polisher takes a different plate.

Can I use this plate on an XC 3401, FC3401, or FLEX 24V polisher?

No. The XC 3401 VRG runs a 5.5-inch plate with a gear ring on a keyed hub, and FLEX's FC3401, FC3321, FX3331, and FX3321 orbitals ship with FT-series plates. FLEX's fit list for 487.953 covers XCE and XFE machines only.

Specifications:

Installation (Best Practices):