Mandfrotto 488RC2 quick release clamp removal?

Got it removed using this method:

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2883958&po​stcount=20

Ordered (2) B2-LR II clamps. Going to purchase RRS ballheads with PCL clamp with tax return. I'm going with the BH-55 and she is debating between the 40 & 55.

Has anyone removed this piece from the ballhead? If so, do you simply unscrew the clamp? I am hoping this is possible which will allow me to use a RRS quick release (QR) clamp.

If not, 2 (she'll also need one) new RRS ballheads is going to cost me an arm, leg, etc...

Thanks for any feedback!

I attempted to remove the quick release clamp from the 488RC2. With the ballhead tightened all the way and pliers on the stem that connects the actual ball to the QR clamp, I was not able to remove the QR clamp from the stem. I was able to remove the QR clamp w/ stem from the ball though. Is this correct to attach a RRS QR clamp? The screws that RRS sell do not look like what I will need, so I am thinking the stem needs to be removed the QR clamp.

Looking at the top of the Manfrotto QR clamp you can see the stem and what appears to be threaded together, but not budging for me

Thanks for any help.

Is this video helpful? https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=bGSbVkbnXNE

msowsun wrote in post #15488214
Is this video helpful? https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=bGSbVkbnXNE

Thanks for the link. The RC2 does not have the screw on top like the one in the video

I just sent Manfrotto an e mail...

I found this for you: https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2883958&po​stcount=20

But this guy had the same problem with the stem as you... https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2884551&po​stcount=21

Leorooster wrote in post #2884551
Great job and thanks for the pics. I actually tried removing the RC2 clamp by hand tonight, and I did. Unfortunately, I removed the RC2 clamp WITH THE STEM, which is attached to the ball . What this mean is that I actually loosened the stem and the ball (as opposed to loosening the stem and the clamp). I think what I need to do is to find some sort of wrench to hold the stem and loosen the clamp. Wish me luck

JJD.Photography wrote in post #15488390
Thanks for the link. The RC2 does not have the screw on top like the one in the video

I just sent Manfrotto an e mail...

That sucks. The newer heads like the 498RC2 have a removable hex head screw in the top.

The 486 and 488 both have a 3/8-16 threaded stud that goes into both the ball and the clamp/plate. On mine I needed no extra work to remove them and put A/S clamps on in their stead. Later production ones may have been secured with Loctite, in which case you'd probably need to heat the stud to break the connection.

msowsun wrote in post #15488483
I found this for you: https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2883958&po​stcount=20

But this guy had the same problem with the stem as you... https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2884551&po​stcount=21

That really helped as that is exactly what mine looks like!! I appreciate the links

msowsun wrote in post #15488532
That sucks. The newer heads like the 498RC2 have a removable hex head screw in the top.

Yeah, much easier to R&R!

Jon wrote in post #15488580
The 486 and 488 both have a 3/8-16 threaded stud that goes into both the ball and the clamp/plate. On mine I needed no extra work to remove them and put A/S clamps on in their stead. Later production ones may have been secured with Loctite, in which case you'd probably need to heat the stud to break the connection.

I'm definitely not interested in putting heat to loosen it. This will give me a reason to get a new ballhead if loctite has been used. I've been eyeing the BH-55 for quite a while

The only problem is she also has a 488RC2 and a 5D2 with non-useable L plate at this time

Go for the BH-55. Ain't no real RC2 L plates worth fretting about, so you might as well do it right with an RRS head. I had Manfrotto 488 RC2, 486RC2 and 234RC2 (monopod head) before I spent an evening going between portrait and landscape. Next day, I ordered L plates for both the 20D and the 5D, and an RRS LR-2. No regrets, even though the price tag was humongous.