2014General Discussion forum
Clicking sound in Steadicam Scout gimbal during tilt drops
12 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A clicking or vibration sound that occurs when tilting the sled past vertical position may originate from the gimbal top cap working loose over time.
- Tightening the gimbal top cap by hand, or very slightly with a spanner wrench, can eliminate the clicking sound.
- Over-tightening the gimbal top cap with tools should be avoided as it can permanently lock the threads.
- The clicking occurs as the inner bearing races slide up inside the gimbal and reach their upper limit during tilting motion.
- A loose connection between the gimbal post foot and the pan bearing can also cause clicking sounds.
- Adjusting the position of the gimbal post by loosening the allen screw, moving the post down slightly, and retightening can resolve the issue.
- The clicking sound typically does not affect recorded video image quality.
- Testing the rig by holding it and tilting without the balancing dock can help determine if the sound originates from loose sled components or gimbal issues.
- Checking gimbal balance by testing it facing different directions can reveal if gimbal adjustment is needed.
Depends on
- The clicking sound was not definitively confirmed to originate from any single component in all cases.
- Solutions mentioned were shared as suggestions by other users rather than as verified fixes for all instances of the problem.
- The relationship between clicking and gimbal tightness was not scientifically tested, only reported anecdotally.
- One person reporting the issue could not locate the exact source despite thorough investigation.
Parts
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