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
Same gear or parts
- 2026Pan bearing replacement for Steadicam® PRO gimbal: manufacturer change from Kaydon to SSB and supply implicationsFacebookSteadicam operators group
- 2026Gimbal bearing lubrication: oil quantity, product selection, and the performance versus protection trade-off.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
- 2026Pan-bearing friction and image oscillation in Tiffen gimbals with Volt power cable: root cause and acceptance criteria.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
- 2026PRO-Pan bearing sourcing change and specification differences between PRO and Tiffen gimbal bearingsFacebookThe Steadicam Group