Pan Bearing Play

[Aaron King]

Over the weekend I did some maintenance on my gear and decided to clean my pan bearings.  My setup is a Volt/Pro modified gimbal.  I've done this a few times before, so I am comfortable doing it and getting it all back together.  For some reason, this time is different and I am getting play (a wiggle) in the pan bearing housing.  I have taken it back apart and reassembled several times to make sure everything is done correctly, but I keep getting the same results.  Once built and rebalanced, I give it the 180 test and it does list to the side in a small way, so this is having an affect on balance.  I've attached a couple of videos to show what is occuring.  It's subtle, but it's there.  Heck, for all I know this level of play has always been there, and for some reason I'm just now tuned in to it, but I doubt it.  I've emailed all this to Tyson at Tiffen for their take.  I've not heard back yet, so I thought I would see if others have had this.

With it being the Volt on a Pro gimbal, it brings up the good question of what component is in question and who will work on it, if I need to send it in.

[Koji Ishida]

Hi Aaron,

I’m not sure if you have already gotten your answer for this but the slight play in the pan bearing is completely normal for any PRO gimbal. Same goes for the slight play in the tilt bearing. When the weight is engaged, the play will be gone and should fly smooth as butter as any PRO gimbal should. 
 

I had the same concern before gaining this knowledge and asked Jack about it a couple years back.

Hope this info helps!

Safe Flying!

Koji