What the thread found

• Play between the top stage and the centre post shows up as a small click felt when moving the post from horizontal to vertical, typically noticed while checking drop times. It is common enough that several operators recognise it immediately, and it is not automatically a reason to stop work.
• The first thing to try is mechanical and reversible: the tilt stage comes off after two screws, and underneath sit six screws holding the centre post. Tightening those has resolved the symptom for more than one operator. Anyone doing this should note the original torque feel and work in small steps.
• Where tightening does not hold, the cause reported is a worn internal collar at the top of the post. That is a workshop job - the collar is removed and replaced with a new one - not something to attempt between setups.
• Play in the gimbal itself is a different fault with a different fix. On the M-series the correction requires removing the stabilisation sensor sitting on top of the gimbal first, then tightening with the manufacturer's own tool. Working around the sensor rather than removing it risks damaging it.
• The distinction matters for triage on set: post-to-stage play is often tightenable in minutes, gimbal play needs a tool that may not be in the bag, and a worn collar needs a workshop. Knowing which of the three you have decides whether the day continues.
• None of these are wear-free. They appear on well-used rigs, which is exactly the equipment most often bought second hand, so checking for play belongs in any inspection before purchase.

Depends on

• Operator reports from 2026 for specific sled families. Screw counts and the presence of a tilt stage differ between models - do not transfer the procedure to a different sled without checking.
• No torque figures were given. Overtightening a centre post clamp is its own failure mode.
• Removing a stabilisation sensor may affect its calibration. If the rig has one, the manufacturer's guidance takes precedence over anything recorded here.

Parts

Top Stage

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