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Master Series arm sticking at range extremes with back-mounted vest

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

What the thread found

  • Master Series arms can experience sticking or resistance at the top and bottom of their travel range when used with back-mounted vests, which may not be noticeable when using front-mounted vests due to different leverage geometry.
  • Sticking at the extremes of arm travel on Master Series arms is often caused by degradation of the rubber bumper stops inside the arm casing over time.
  • The issue becomes more pronounced with back-mounted vests because the arm geometry is more compressed, reducing operator leverage and making end-of-travel resistance more apparent.
  • Pushing the sled outward slightly at the ends of the boom range can reduce the perceived sticking or locking sensation when operating with a back-mounted vest.
  • Arm tension adjustment alone may not resolve the sticking issue if it is caused by worn internal bumper stops.

Depends on

  • The sticking behavior was only noticed when switching between front-mounted and back-mounted vests; it may have existed on the arm but was masked by different operating mechanics on the front-mounted setup.
  • The discussion includes speculation about physics and mechanics that the participants themselves acknowledged might not be entirely accurate.
  • No definitive solution is provided beyond the workaround of adjusting sled position and the recommendation for professional service.

Gear in this thread

Master Seriescatalog

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