Gitzo leg spreading even when locked

Johnf3f,

Ok, that nut is also in very tight. At least, I have not been able to budge it using pliers. None my ratchet heads fit, so if I can find one that is small enough, I might try that.

I know it doesn't solve the problem of a different amount of friction that you're experiencing in the hinges of each of the legs... But, why would you want to rely on the friction of the hinges to support your camera? I always open the legs of my Gitzo to the stops and adjust the leg length for the difference in terrain.

The only thing that should be required is a slight tightening of the T25 Torx machine screws on either side of the hinge.

jecottrell,

I am not sure which Gitzo you use, but with the Gitzo Explorer, opening the legs to the stops means that the legs are splayed out almost flat. I cannot imagine this being workable, no matter how much you adjust the leg length, except for a subset of circumstances where you want to shoot from just above the ground.

If I set up the tripod with the legs at a 45 degree angle (maybe even less) with the leg locks engaged, and press lightly on the top of the tripod directly downwards, the weak leg splays out more and more, until it hits the stop, i.e., 90 degrees from the main axis of the tripod. This is especially pronounced on, e.g. a hardwood floor or even a leaf-litter covered forest floor. In really soft ground, the foot digs in instead of the splaying.

Thanks for identifying the screw as a T25 Torx machine screws. I assumed it was a hex/allen wrench type screw. Maybe I should not be trying to use an allen wrench or hex key to tighten them?

Jeet,

I just looked at photos of the Explorer leg lock system. It is entirely different than my Gitzo so all of my previous comments probably don't apply including the Torx size. After Googling "gitzo explorer loose legs" it looks like there might be a bolt to tighten the locking lever?

I figured that Gitzo had a standard approach to their leg pivot scheme.

Sorry I wasn't of much help. Good luck.

John

jeetsukumaran wrote in post #16460813
055.80 shows the hex key / allen wrench that came with the tripod, and I have never used it till now -- I assumed it was to tighten the legs in the case like this.

jeetsukumaran wrote in post #16462085
Thanks for identifying the screw as a T25 Torx machine screws. I assumed it was a hex/allen wrench type screw. Maybe I should not be trying to use an allen wrench or hex key to tighten them?

You seemed to imply that you used the little torx wrench that came with your tripod so I also assumed that you were using a torx wrench and not an allen key. Using an allen key in a Gitzo screw head is very likely to strip the outer edges of the socket (see the difference between the two in the pic below). Unfortunately the Gitzo screw head is very poorly designed and you have to be pretty careful with it. Also Gitzo has different screw head sizes on their tripods, they're not all T25 size.

I have to confess that I'm still confused about your problem. I too am unfamiliar with how the Explorer leg system works. A picture would be really helpful.

I had the same problem, picturing what could be causing the problem.

You can see the explorer uses a new, infinitely adjustable clamping system to lock the legs.

So here are some images:

1. General overview of the top of the tripod, where the legs come together. The leg that is slightly open is the problem leg: it splays out even when the flip-lock is engaged or in the closed position, as it is now.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

So, it appears that I have stripped the head of the hinge screws, at least partially. It also appears the scew might have originally been a torx head, as suggested by jecotrell.

From things I found online, it seems the solution to stripped screw head like this is to take a dremel and cut in a thick groove and then use a regular flathead screwdriver to take it out. Then, of course, the screw needs to be replaced. I code for a living, and don't do hardware, so all of this is a little bit discouraging for me!

And, of course, the assumption/hope here is that tightening these screws will actually solve the problem, i.e., of the leg not locking. Still not sure about that. And what I also don't understand is why the leg is loose if the screw that is supposed to control the friction/drag is on so tight?

Jeet,

From what I can see in online photos, the Explorer has allen/hex head screws. They do not appear to be Torx like many of the other Gitzo tripods and as I had suggested. I would bet that you damaged the heads by using the wrong size tool, most likely an SAE instead of metric, or vice versa. If the correct size isn't used you will round out the interior of the hex head. Further complicating things is, the hardware is usually stainless steel which is softer and more easily damaged.

Don't start trying to cut slots and removing the screws, they have nothing to do with your problem. They are merely the pivot points for the legs. The locking and friction for the locking is provided by the lever. Look on the inside of the leg. There should be nut there that needs to be tightened. Make sure you have the correct size tool (a box end wrench or socket wrench will probably be best.) Only tighten the nut a little bit at a time until you reach the desired amount of friction by the locking lever. That should only be a few degrees of rotation at a time.

I don't have my Gitzo with me, so I can't tell you whether Gizto uses SAE or metric hardware on their equipment.

Can you get a picture of the back side of the leg, opposite the locking lever? The parts drawing shows a nut there, that would be used to adjust the friction.

John

Hi John,

Here are the pictures of the back of the leg. I am going to try tightening this, as you suggest.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

John,

It worked!! Exactly as you described. I used a ratcheting screwdriver with a metric socket head, and it tightened. The leg locks solid now. Thank you for the advice!

And thank you all others who contributed as well!

http://en.m.wikipedia.​org/wiki/Nyloc_nut

That nut looks a bit like what is called a Nyloc nut. Part of the internal threads are nylon or other type of polymer and are designed to prevent loosening.

jeetsukumaran wrote in post #16464303
It worked!!

Excellent! Glad it worked out.

Well done John from PA!
That was the nut I was trying to explain about to the OP - you obviously did it better.

Glad it is all sorted now!
Replacements (in case they wear out) should be available at your local hardware store or, if not, E BAY.

johnf3f wrote in post #16464944
Replacements (in case they wear out) should be available at your local hardware store or, if not, E BAY.

Replacements are most likely metric. I suggest trying a standard nut first, not the Nyloc version, until you are certain of the size. Then get the same size Nyloc. A Nyloc doesn't start easy, nor does the wrong size thread, so it can be easy to strip the threads.