gitzo bushing problem

So while i am waiting on the leg section of my broken gitzo tripod to arrive see this thread I am doing a good thorough cleaning of the tripod (ala naturescapes recommendations) but have an issue.

Two of the plastic bushings have worked loose from their holding location with no means to get them out. This is stopping me from removing that leg section. Does anyone have any ideas how to work the bushings back out?

And finally about greasing the leg columns. One article said to grease the male thread with automotive grease (but not to overdo it) another recommends wd40 on a paper towel and wipe the legs down. Can I use WD40 on the threads and wipe legs down to make them operate smoothly? even after a good cleaning I still hear the grit in the threads at the joints and was wondering if this might help?

Thanks

Gavin

Hi Gavin Regarding the grease and how much to use I have been putting lots more. Jim (runs Artie's store) does the tripod maintenance and I was surprised to see how much he used, started doing the same and have encountered less problems.

The one thing you want to make sure is not to have it overflowing since everything will stick. A pain any way you do it !!! Imagine if your cleaning the legs every water outing (taking apart) less grease ... not every one more grease.

Removing the bushings .... use your imagination there is no certain way. Need to get something all the way back and pull them ... don't think water rinsing is going to help much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alfred Forns

Hi Gavin Regarding the grease and how much to use I have been putting lots more. Jim (runs Artie's store) does the tripod maintenance and I was surprised to see how much he used, started doing the same and have encountered less problems.

The one thing you want to make sure is not to have it overflowing since everything will stick. A pain any way you do it !!! Imagine if your cleaning the legs every water outing (taking apart) less grease ... not every one more grease.

Removing the bushings .... use your imagination there is no certain way. Need to get something all the way back and pull them ... don't think water rinsing is going to help much.

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Alfred:

Thanks for the heads up on the grease. I got the legs apart at last. I did talk to Bogen repair and they were very helpful. They recommended for hot areas (fl) a high sensitivity automotive bearing grease for the male threads.

Also the leg section came (3 days) and is fixed so looks like the tripod will be back in action ready for the holiday weekend.

cheers
wembley

I just completely disassembled my 5540 LSV and it was a chore as two of the leg sections were a bear to get out.

As tough as they were to get out, they were harder to get back in! While I could see no visible corrosion, I ended up having to run a piece of fine emery cloth inside to get them to slip in.

One of the plastic washers did stay inside the tube and I ended up using some medical long nose pliers I had bought at a yard sale and grabbing the thing and pulling it out.

I degreased everything with spray on degreaser, dried it good and then coated all of the male threads with high temp bearing grease applied with an acid flux brush. Works perfectly and unlike the issues I had with white lithium grease as touted on Naturescapes, I've had no grease migration in the hot sun.

I think someone should design a tripod with components for those of use who use them in and around salt water!