hpx370 v-wedge. Can someone from Panasonic help?

R

ralphmccloud

Active member
370 vwedge screws.jpg



I need to remove the v-wedge from the bottom of the hpx370. (to be able to use zephyr300 rail system)

But it seems the bottom screws are so tightly torqued in, it's impossible to remove them. Did a web search and this is a problem for many owners. I've tried everything from a screwdriver, to ratchet driver and even a hammer drill to try to remove them. Only managed to strip one of them. They are impossible to remove.

Can someone from Panasonic let me know how to remove the v-wedge? Or where to send the camera to have Panasonic do it? This brand new camera is useless to me unless I'm able to remove this v-wedge and attach a rail system.
 
Yup I trashed one when I put my Cavision rails on, I then dropped the V wedge and shattered one corner off it.
it still works OK but would be interested if panasonic can supply replacement parts.
 
The real problem is the quality of the fasteners, they are a little soft. I've encountered the same thing on japanese motorcycles. I managed to get the wedge plate off of my 370 but bunged one of the screw heads in the process.
What I did was turn the camera upside down so it is resting on the top handle. I found the perfect Philips bit for the screw head in my vast collection of philips bits . While some one steadied the camera in the upside down position I applied downward pressure on the screw driver before applying any torque to loosen the screw. Once I was confident I had the bit as engaged as possible I applied torque in the loosening direction and got the screws out, damaging only one in the process.
 
What Mark said- especially make sure you have the correct sized phillips head.

I stripped one of the screws on my 300 as well when installing the Zacuto plate. At the time, I just thought it was a bone head move on my part. I feel better knowing that I'm certainly not alone- the screws are way too soft considering the torque that is put on them. I had to drill the stripped screw out, a hair raising operation.

Good luck!
 
The screws are definitely a BEAR to get out. I got mine off but I thought I stripped it or cracked the head of the screw when I finally got mine off. It made a loud crack sound and the it just came off.
I know someone who stripped theirs and wound up using a grinder to try and get it off. I'm sure it was ugly.
 
My 302 also stripped when I put on a Cavision Plate.... had to get the guys to drill the screw out...

Cheers
 
Take the time to find a philips bit that really fits the screw head well BEFORE doing anything. If you try the first thing that comes to hand you're probably going to F it up on your first attempt , making the second attempt much harder or just a plain old rescue attempt. Go to home depot or your local home improvement store and check out the bit selection, they are darn cheep, and just might save you a trip to the camera doctor.
 
FYI . . . after stripping one of the screws, I'm not going to mess with it in fear of stripping more. I'm hoping Panasonic will take care of it since they're the ones who torqued them in so tight to start with.

My dealer has put in a call to Panasonic. I'm hoping Panasonic will step up and help. I'll keep you informed.
 
Update . . . a friend of mine just got 3 Panasonic hpx370 cameras. He was unable to remove the v wedge plate from any of them.
 
I think you will find that the Japanese use a sightly different pitch in their Phillips heads to US phillips heads...

Cheers

PS.. I also believe that they have way over torqued ...
 
There is a Craftsman right-angle rachet wrench, that allows for thumb pressure while exerting torque on the screw. My engineer, Barry Russo, showed this small wrench to me a couple years back and it really makes all the difference. Well that and the right pitch on the Philips head. Keep in mind these are metric screws.

Best,

Jan
 
Hallo! You can try using products such as nail polish remover before remove the screws with the philips head. In italy we use a product named Svitol. It's a very pwerfull lubicant spray that helps a lot with blocked screws. I've used it on my 301 and it works! It's made basically with kerosene. You can try the WD40 too or anything that is used for lubricate screws.
Bests,
Roberto
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
There is a Craftsman right-angle rachet wrench, that allows for thumb pressure while exerting torque on the screw. My engineer, Barry Russo, showed this small wrench to me a couple years back and it really makes all the difference. Well that and the right pitch on the Philips head. Keep in mind these are metric screws.

Best,

Jan
Click to expand...

Jan would you be able to give us the spec for the size of screw to replace the broken ones that we all seem to have, I've looked in the manual but can't find the spec anywhere.

it may be that people wish to replace all the soft bolts as supplied on the new camera.
 
HPX300 parts

HPX300 parts

Gary,

I have an EXPLODED VIEW PDF for the HPX300 which will help with the part numbers you need. Problem is this forum won't except the file. If you pass along an email address I can send it to you.

Regards,
Bill
 
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