SteadiHub
2004Camera Stage/Donkey Box forum

Addressing side-to-side play in Ultra Rig camera stage

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

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

What the thread found

  • Side-to-side play in the stage can result from bent stage housing caused by the rig being set down on its side or struck, which also compromises bearing support and makes the play extremely difficult to eliminate without housing replacement.
  • Internal bearing alignment requires perfect alignment of two support rails; misalignment causes bearings to shift, while over-tightening causes bearing races to develop dips, resulting in rough stage operation and expensive repairs.
  • Roll pins securing knobs to cross-shafts must be removed to disassemble the stage.
  • Shims can be added to reduce side-to-side movement of the stage assembly.
  • The top cover can be removed for visual inspection without necessarily disturbing the bearing arrangement.
  • A 6-pin Hirose connector serves as the monitor output, and pin configuration documentation is available from the manufacturer.
  • Monitor connector cables can separate from the socket if excessive pressure is applied during adjustment, and adding a safety chain can prevent this failure.

Depends on

  • The source of play varies by individual rig and may be bearing-related, housing-related, or caused by loose fasteners.
  • Disassembly and reassembly of bearing components should only be done by experienced technicians to avoid misalignment and bearing damage.
  • The discussion includes an unresolved disagreement about whether visual inspection of the stage interior can be safely performed by the owner without professional help.
  • Some participants recommended professional service while others suggested owner troubleshooting.
  • Documentation and assembly videos were mentioned as desirable but not confirmed to be readily available.

Gear in this thread

Zephyrcatalog

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