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2021From a Facebook group: The Steadicam Group

Lubricating gimbal bearings on the Tiffen M1: ARRI-supplied oil versus Finish Line Wet and Tri-Flow alternatives.

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

What the thread found

  • ARRI specifies Finish Line Wet Bike Lubricant for gimbal bearings; the proprietary ARRI oil was previously available through ARRI branches and rental houses for approximately 10 USD per bottle.
  • One operator's maintenance procedure: disassemble the gimbal, soak bearings in acetone, then apply exactly one drop of oil; this operator later upgraded to a GPI PRO gimbal bearing and reported superior performance.
  • Tri-Flow is used by a established gimbal manufacturer, is inexpensive, and is readily available in retail supply chains.
  • Alternative lubricants include watch movement oil for gimbal bearings and ceramic bicycle grease for arm pivots; bearing selection depends primarily on operating speed and load rating.
  • Maintenance frequency is at least as critical as lubricant choice; operators should consult gimbal-specific service documentation before disassembly and cleaning.

Depends on

  • Gimbal model and bearing type (standard versus ceramic or sealed designs)
  • Operating conditions (speed and load)
  • Availability of proprietary ARRI oil by region and rental-house stock
  • Conflicting recommendations between specialty oils and general-purpose bicycle lubricants without field consensus

Parts

Gimbal Bearing

Same gear or parts

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  2. 2026Pan bearing replacement for Steadicam® PRO gimbal: manufacturer change from Kaydon to SSB and supply implicationsFacebookSteadicam operators group
  3. 2026Retrofitting a PRO gimbal bearing into a Tiffen Steadicam® M2 gimbal for improved feel and reduced friction.FacebookSteadicam operators group
  4. 2026Gimbal bearing lubrication: oil quantity, product selection, and the performance versus protection trade-off.DisputedFacebookThe Steadicam Group
Original thread on Facebook (group members only)Ask about this threadThe answer cites the archive