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Gimbal clamp on Zephyr sled becomes stiff and difficult to operate

12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

What the thread found

  • A stiff gimbal clamp that resists rotation can often be restored by lubricating the internal threads with machine oil or teflon-based lubricant
  • The manufacturer addressed this issue in later production runs by adding a delrin spacer to improve clamp alignment
  • Applying a small amount of threadlocker compound to the threads after lubrication can help maintain the fix
  • The problem occurs because threads dry out over time, requiring excessive force on the lever which risks bending the threaded shaft

Depends on

  • The clamp stiffness issue was observed on early production units from around 2012 or earlier
  • The effectiveness of lubrication as a long-term solution was not conclusively tested in this discussion
  • The manufacturer's warranty and repair policies may vary depending on purchase location and original batch

Gear in this thread

Zephyrcatalog

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