Posted by Allan Rube on December 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I have a 1325 tripod and cannot get one of the upper legs sections to extend. I can loosen the knob and with a lot of pressure rotate the leg section. However, no matter what force I use I cannot extend it. How can I get it out?
If I had to guess the bushing is swollen after seeing this:
I had it happen twice on my 1349. Both times I removed the head and inverted the tripod with the plate on the ground. Standing with my foot on the inside of the plate, I pulled up on the leg section while rapping the side of the leg with the ballhead. Didn't take a lot of whacking, and ultimately the leg popped free.
In both cases the sticking was due to an accumulation of crud in the joint. Now I disassemble, clean and lightly lube the joints annually, and more often if I'm using the tripod in water or extremely dusty conditions. Never hand another problem.
Posted by Allan Rube on December 20, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Thanks Craig and Hank. Still no luck, though - it is really in there.
Posted by Allan Rube on December 20, 2008 at 5:04 PM
HAnk - did what you suggested some more and all of a sudden the leg popped out. :) Thanks.
Glad it worked Allan! I was in a quandary about what else to suggest, but also concerned how I would resolve your problem if it happened to me. Now it's time to really clean and lightly lube all those locks. Come to think of it, I've just put mine through a period of dry Southwest dust, rainstorms, salt in Death Valley and beach sand. Maybe it's time for me to clean my own. "Physician Heal Thyself!!!!"
Posted by Kent Staubus on December 20, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I have a 1325 but have not had anything get stuck. I do disassemble and clean it out about once a year though, or if I've been using it in water that comes up over a joint. The bushings seem to be carboard or something and can swell. I think Gitzo offers plastic ones now. I use my shotgun cleaning rod and ram a tight wad of paper towel through the legs, wipe all the bushings down, and then apply some silicone spray. That doesn't attract dust like grease or vaseline can, and also imparts some water proofing to the bushings. In winter, I am careful to wipe down the legs if they are iced up or covered with snow before collapsing the tripod.
Discussion
9 repliesIf I had to guess the bushing is swollen after seeing this:
http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/category-equipment-reviews/34-equipment-reviews/300-gitzo-tripod-maintenance-guide
Allan
If you do a search for my name you'll find my previous post with a similar problem and possible answers.
Good Luck!!
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
None!!!!!!
New leg in the new year!!But try,they may work with yours?
Craig
In both cases the sticking was due to an accumulation of crud in the joint. Now I disassemble, clean and lightly lube the joints annually, and more often if I'm using the tripod in water or extremely dusty conditions. Never hand another problem.
Kent in SD