2004Vests forum
Creaking noise from carbon arm mounting area on DSD vest under load
22 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A creaking or clicking sound can develop where the carbon arm connects to the vertical adjustment block on a DSD vest, particularly when pushing the rig away from the body under weight
- The noise may indicate play or looseness in the mounting bolts or the knob securing the carbon arm to the mounting block
- Periodically re-tightening the four bolts holding the vertical adjustment block and the knob securing the carbon arm can temporarily eliminate the noise, but it may return after several months of use
- The creaking is typically inaudible on set during normal shooting but becomes clearly audible in quiet environments with a weight cage attached
- Microscopic play in the carbon arm can be detected by hand when the vest is not being worn, accompanied by a clicking sound
Depends on
- The issue was reported on a single vest model from 2002 and may not be universal
- Whether the creaking indicates actual structural risk or is merely a minor assembly tolerance issue remains unclear
- The manufacturer advised tightening bolts but did not provide a permanent solution in the time described
- The problem may also occur on other vest brands but go unnoticed in typical shooting environments