550EX Flash Knocks

[Tailgunner9]

Just got new flash and when you tilt head all the way down and turn on it makes a knocking sound. So I turn it off. Just does it when turned all the way down (Forward). Is this normal????

[PacAce]

Ive turned the head of my 550EX down all the way and it's never made a knocking sound that I've noticed. The only sound I've ever heard fom any of my flashes is the high-pitched whining sound.

Is the knocking sound a continuous sound or just something that knocks once and then stops?

[Tailgunner9]

Thanks for reply. Sounds like something going around and around making a knocking noise. Just does it when head all the way down and forward.

[PacAce]

Thanks for reply. Sounds like something going around and around making a knocking noise. Just does it when head all the way down and forward.
It's not a sound like a motor adjusting the zoom head, is it? When you put the head off of the "normal" head-on position, the head does zoom out to the widest position. However, it would do that if you position the head in the other directions, too, though.

[Tailgunner9]

Could be I guess. Do not know how that sounds. Seems it would do it pointing up also, maybe. May have to call Canon support.

[PacAce]

Could be I guess. Do not know how that sounds. Seems it would do it pointing up also, maybe. May have to call Canon support.
Best way to find out how the zoom motor sounds is to press the "Zoom" button on the back of the flash. Every time you press the zoom button, the head will position itself to the next zoom position.

[Titus213]

I think what you are hearing is the zoom head moving. When the 550EX is in max down position it is in a special area for close subjects (7 deg) Mine makes a motor noise when turned on in that position. When in the normal forward position it is silent when it comes on.