Predator 314-3 silencer pad question

Cord

Cord

Active member
I did a DIY tip replacement on my Predator 314-3 shaft a few weeks ago. I was removing the worn-out stock tip, but in my noobishness, I cut off the black pad under it as well. I don't much like the tip I put on (too hard), and want to replace it.

So my question ... is that pad super necessary? I would replace it, but you can't buy the Predator V-tek pads; it seems the only way to get one is to send the shaft in to Predator. I kinda hate to do that.

So I thought I'd ask the experts here. Should I:

A) never mind the damned pad; glue the new tip straight to the ferrule
B) put on an aftermarket pad
C) bite the bullet & send it to Predator?

Is the lack of it what's making the new tip feel off? New tip is a Thoroughbred MS, replacing stock Victory M. I wouldn't think it should feel harder, but it sure does.
 
Cord said:
I did a DIY tip replacement on my Predator 314-3 shaft a few weeks ago. I was removing the worn-out stock tip, but in my noobishness, I cut off the black pad under it as well. I don't much like the tip I put on (too hard), and want to replace it.

So my question ... is that pad super necessary? I would replace it, but you can't buy the Predator V-tek pads; it seems the only way to get one is to send the shaft in to Predator. I kinda hate to do that.

So I thought I'd ask the experts here. Should I:

A) never mind the damned pad; glue the new tip straight to the ferrule
B) put on an aftermarket pad
C) bite the bullet & send it to Predator?

Is the lack of it what's making the new tip feel off? New tip is a Thoroughbred MS, replacing stock Victory M. I wouldn't think it should feel harder, but it sure does.
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The Silencer pads are available from Predator.
Pack of 10 I believe.
 
It's an integral part of the ferrule construction. All warranties are void if you don't replace it.
Atleast now they sell the silencer pads, so just order some extra, so you have the next time a predator shaft comes by.
 
JS858 said:
Their warranty is the most worthless I have ever seen.
Ship it to us on your own dime and once we look at it, we will decide if we want to warranty it.
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Depends on who you talk to at Predator. I have had no luck with one rep & another took care of me.

All that doesn't change their policies on the minimum thickness their V-Tek Silencer pad can be for warranty purposes.
 
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Fore Rail said:
Depends on who you talk to at Predator. I have had no luck with one rep & another took care of me.

All that doesn't change their policies on the minimum thickness their V-Tek Silencer pad can be for warranty purposes.
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Having customers pay to ship products back that have known failures just so you try to find a way not to warranty it is not a warranty.
Especially when it’s cues and shafts that have exorbitant non-standard shipping rates.
 
Kim Bye said:
It's an integral part of the ferrule construction. All warranties are void if you don't replace it.
Atleast now they sell the silencer pads, so just order some extra, so you have the next time a predator shaft comes by.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. (y)

Michael Webb said:
The Silencer pads are available from Predator.
Pack of 10 I believe.
Click to expand...

I've hunted through their website without success. Anyone got a link? Thanks.

In the event I can't find the Predator ones, will some other aftermarket fiber pad suffice? I'm DIY'ing it, and I'm not terribly interested in pursuing Predator's warranty at this point anyhow.
 
Cord said:
Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. (y)



I've hunted through their website without success. Anyone got a link? Thanks.

In the event I can't find the Predator ones, will some other aftermarket fiber pad suffice? I'm DIY'ing it, and I'm not terribly interested in pursuing Predator's warranty at this point anyhow.
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Call them to get the pads.
 
JS858 said:
Having customers pay to ship products back that have known failures just so you try to find a way not to warranty it is not a warranty.
Especially when it’s cues and shafts that have exorbitant non-standard shipping rates.
Click to expand...
If it's a known failure / manufacturer defect the warranty is no problem. I had a Predator butt with a finish lift several years back. They knew about it, had happened to others in that model & was warrantied / refinished. I recently had a tip pop off and took the silencer pad along for the ride. I kept at them & got it warrantied.

I am one of the biggest critics of Predator products that I know. You sir really have a hard on for them.

Every cue and shaft is subject to non - standard shipping rates these days. Small price to pay imo when the repair job is free.

Oh yeah BTW get the warranty covered online via pics etc before the cue or shaft is shipped.
 
Fore Rail said:
If it's a known failure / manufacturer defect the warranty is no problem. I had a Predator butt with a finish lift several years back. They knew about it, had happened to others in that model & was warrantied / refinished. I recently had a tip pop off and took the silencer pad along for the ride. I kept at them & got it warrantied.

I am one of the biggest critics of Predator products that I know. You sir really have a hard on for them.

Every cue and shaft is subject to non - standard shipping rates these days. Small price to pay imo when the repair job is free.

Oh yeah BTW get the warranty covered online via pics etc before the cue or shaft is shipped.
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The Silencer is not a failure. It's good for X amount of tip changes til it gets down to .010.
It's just that simple.
 
Cord said:
Hmm. Ok. So is there anything particularly special about the V-Tek pads, or will this 23-cent one from Seybert's do just as well? Considering that I have no interest in attempting to deal with their warranty, at all. Warranty is a moot point; that ship has sailed.
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Yes I believe the V-Tek pads are phenolic based & the fiber pads are just that fiber.

The fiber pads simply do not have the same strength as the V-Tek Pad.
 
Fore Rail said:
If it's a known failure / manufacturer defect the warranty is no problem. I had a Predator butt with a finish lift several years back. They knew about it, had happened to others in that model & was warrantied / refinished. I recently had a tip pop off and took the silencer pad along for the ride. I kept at them & got it warrantied.

I am one of the biggest critics of Predator products that I know. You sir really have a hard on for them.

Every cue and shaft is subject to non - standard shipping rates these days. Small price to pay imo when the repair job is free.

Oh yeah BTW get the warranty covered online via pics etc before the cue or shaft is shipped.
Click to expand...
I don’t have a hard on for them at all sir.
Like you, I had a tip and a silencer pop off a new Revo.
Pretty common and well documented failure that they are absolutely aware of.
And ohh yeah BTW they WON’T agree to cover it via pics before you ship it, so you sir don’t really know what you’re talking about.

Chat, pictures, 3 days of worthless back forth emails and a call, and it was still “yes, it’s very common, but pay to send it to us and we will review it and make a decision”

So regardless of the outcome, still had to come out of pocket for a known product failure, which is absurd.
It’s 2025…Send us a video of you destroying it and we will ship you another one. Or.. we will ship you a replacement with a label and send the damaged one back.
Literally anything but the unnecessary the hoops that they make you jump thru.
I’ve gotten better customer service on warranties from stuff in China.
 
JS858 said:
I don’t have a hard on for them at all sir.
Like you, I had a tip and a silencer pop off a new Revo.
Pretty common and well documented failure that they are absolutely aware of.
Click to expand...

JS858 said:
And ohh yeah BTW they WON’T agree to cover it via pics before you ship it, so you sir don’t really know what you’re talking about.

Chat, pictures, 3 days of worthless back forth emails and a call, and it was still “yes, it’s very common, but pay to send it to us and we will review it and make a decision”

So regardless of the outcome, still had to come out of pocket for a known product failure, which is absurd.
It’s 2025…Send us a video of you destroying it and we will ship you another one. Or.. we will ship you a replacement with a label and send the damaged one back.
Literally anything but the unnecessary the hoops that they make you jump thru.
I’ve gotten better customer service on warranties from stuff in China.
Click to expand...
Do you have a problem with reading comprehension? You must because Predator's policies are fairly black and white.

Claim Procedures​

Claims for warranty and service on eligible products shall be made by contacting us using the contact form before sending the product or by calling us at 1-888-314-4111. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm eastern standard time. Shipping and insurance is to be prepaid by the purchaser and addressed to Attn: Returns Department, Predator Group, 4901 Belfort Road, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256, United States together with (a) evidence of original purchase and (b) a completed Return/Repair Form.

Upon receipt, Predator will review the description of the asserted defect, examine the product and make repairs and replacements as appropriate under the Limited Lifetime Warranty and/or warranty. Upon completion of the service, Predator shall return the product to the original purchaser, with shipping and insurance prepaid by Predator. If it is determined that the asserted defect is not covered under the Limited Lifetime Warranty and/or warranty, the original purchaser will be contacted and offered a repair service if applicable, or the product will be returned.

How the f do you think I got my repair covered by warranty? I sent them detailed pics, which they kept on file. Like you I did the emails back and forth & a couple phone calls. I finally found the right person & she agreed to warranty the shaft. She emailed me the proper paperwork to send in with the shaft & did the documentation on her end to get the job done.

So yes I do know what I am talking about.

I'll say it again paying the shipping back to the them is a small price to pay for a free repair job.
 
Fore Rail said:
Oh yeah BTW get the warranty covered online via pics etc before the cue or shaft is shipped.
Click to expand...

I don’t need to read the policy I know what it is. I said your comment is wrong and it is.

Fore Rail said:
I'll say it again paying the shipping back to the them is a small price to pay for a free repair job.
Click to expand...

Ok, Maybe from the undesirable part of the country where you live.

Having to pay anything out of your own pocket for a repair or replacement of a warrantable product failure that a company is well aware of is stupid and unnecessary.
 
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