Manfrotto 504 head, there is some play on the tilt while it's "locked"

[jshbckr]

So I'm trying to figure out how to remedy this situation. I use a 504 as second camera/backup, and I had to send off my main head for repair.

When I have the tilt brake tightened as much as it can, there is some play. That is, there are a several degrees up/down that the head will still wiggle before the brake tension stops the movement. If I take off the brake, there is absolutely no play in tilting (I can feel the drag tension and it's consistent all the time). It's only when the brake is applied that this play gets introduced.

Anyone have a clue what could be causing this? I'm not afraid to take stuff apart, so I'm hoping to fix it myself rather than sending it in.

 

[jshbckr]

Fixed it. So just in case anyone is wondering, there is a metal strip that the brake squeezes to lock the tilt. It's held in place by three bolts, all of which had somehow gotten loose on mine.



Hopefully that's big enough to see. There is basically one bolt holding that half of the head together and once it's removed, you can use a little force to pull the thing open. Just keep track of the little washers and stuff. Only took me about 10 minutes to fix it.

 

[simonpwood]

Good to know, thanks.