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2022From a Facebook group: Steadicam operators group

Sourcing a replacement pan bearing for a Tiffen sled when PRO no longer sells them individually

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

What the thread found

  • Tiffen supplies its own replacement pan bearing, priced around USD 800.
  • One operator reported that Tiffen service replaced a worn bearing free of charge; the manufacturer discouraged installation of third-party PRO bearings.
  • Several operators recommend contacting PRO sled owners to request a spare bearing, as PRO prioritizes sales to its own customer base; the parts shortage may stem from many Tiffen users retrofitting PRO equipment.
  • An unconfirmed report suggests Tiffen now uses the same bearing as GPI.

Depends on

  • Whether the current Tiffen pan bearing meets or exceeds the performance of the earlier PRO bearing remains unconfirmed.

Parts

Gimbal Bearing

Same gear or parts

  1. 2026Pan bearing replacement for Steadicam® PRO gimbal: manufacturer change from Kaydon to SSB and supply implicationsFacebookSteadicam operators group
  2. 2026Gimbal bearing lubrication: oil quantity, product selection, and the performance versus protection trade-off.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
  3. 2026Pan-bearing friction and image oscillation in Tiffen gimbals with Volt power cable: root cause and acceptance criteria.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
  4. 2026PRO-Pan bearing sourcing change and specification differences between PRO and Tiffen gimbal bearingsFacebookThe Steadicam Group
Original thread on Facebook (group members only)Ask about this threadThe answer cites the archive