What the thread found

• Installation documentation is thorough but dense; early-2000s Tiffen sleds lack quick-disconnect top stage, so removal and reinstallation requires one to two hours.
• Cable routing inside the sled tube should be documented before disassembly.
• The tilt motor connection to the gimbal depends on one primary fastener plus two screws securing the pan sensor bracket; any drift here is critical, so thread-locking compound (Loctite 222) is essential.
• Tiffen supplies three spacer sets (0, +1, −1 thousandth inch) between the pan bearing assembly and yoke; these adjust the pan axis to intersect the roll axis of the yoke; incorrect spacing leaves the sled balanced to one side, and unbalanced after 180-degree rotation.
• On a fully loaded sled, the geometry test is performed at drop time 3–4 seconds: rotate camera 90 degrees to the roll axis on the stand, submerge statically, rotate 180 degrees; if the top tilts right, longer spacers go right and shorter spacers go left.
• This balance condition is purely geometric, not weight-dependent, and is unrelated to the Volt retrofit; cables and belts only mask the effect slightly; even new M2 gimbals exhibited it.
• Disassembly sequence for Ultra 2 (abbreviated): disconnect cables, slacken belts, remove tilt pulley with bearing, use special wrench to release pulley holder (also bearing cap), loosen set screws on yoke hockey-stick, remove hockey-stick, remove roll belt (very tight), remove reducer, then loosen yoke bearing fasteners and withdraw bearing.
• Spacer sets are included with DIY and PRO retrofit kits; PRO gimbals use different spacers; instructions are available online from Tiffen; several operators reported trouble-free installations by experienced technicians.

Depends on

• Sled model and vintage
• Camera weight and balance point
• Belt tension and routing

Gear in this thread

Voltcatalog

Parts

Top Stage, Gimbal Bearing

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