Replacement head for Manfrotto Monopod 679B?

The outer camera mounting screw on the top of my monopod rusted to the inner mounting screw rendering my monopod useless. (All my fault.) Monfrotto's help desk recomended that I contact their Tech Support to determine if it could be replaced. The Tech Support Dept allowed me to leave a voice mail message and promised to return the call someday. I figured I'd get a quicker answer from people in the know. How does the screw or head remove from the monopod for replacement installation. Thanks.

Are you referring to a 1/4-20 threaded stud inside a 3/8-16 threaded tube with the tube and stud rusted together? If so, you could probably loosen the rust bond between them by soaking the rust with a penetrating oil such as Kroil (a bit hard to find), PB Blaster, or something similar. After a couple of days with a few applications of the oil, I would install a 3/8-16 nut over the outer threads and tap lightly with a small hammer to break up the rust. I would expect that this might take several sessions of soaking and tapping but you should be able to loosen up the spring-loaded threaded tube. Then, you might want to clean up the 1/4-20 threads on the stud with a threading die.

I don't have a clue how I would take my 680B monopod apart to remove the stud/tube combination. It appears that the foam tube cover might have to be removed to access the head/camera mounting hardware.

Had a look at the spares site and it doesn't look like the part is available:

https://www.manfrottos​pares.com/679b-parts.html

Might be time for a new mono pod? The Sirui P324 and P424 (I have the P424) are nice if you can find them. I don't like their 6 section models as the lower sections get very thin and they take longer to set up.

You could add a QR clamp to it (i assume the 3/8 thread is ok) and just put plates on the bottom of your lenses.

Make sure you hold onto the strap if you carry the monopod/lens over your shoulder

SkipD wrote in post #17805954
Are you referring to a 1/4-20 threaded stud inside a 3/8-16 threaded tube with the tube and stud rusted together? If so, you could probably loosen the rust bond between them by soaking the rust with a penetrating oil such as Kroil (a bit hard to find), PB Blaster, or something similar. After a couple of days with a few applications of the oil, I would install a 3/8-16 nut over the outer threads and tap lightly with a small hammer to break up the rust. I would expect that this might take several sessions of soaking and tapping but you should be able to loosen up the spring-loaded threaded tube. Then, you might want to clean up the 1/4-20 threads on the stud with a threading die.

I don't have a clue how I would take my 680B monopod apart to remove the stud/tube combination. It appears that the foam tube cover might have to be removed to access the head/camera mounting hardware.

johnf3f wrote in post #17806257
Had a look at the spares site and it doesn't look like the part is available:

https://www.manfrottos​pares.com/679b-parts.html

Might be time for a new mono pod? The Sirui P324 and P424 (I have the P424) are nice if you can find them. I don't like their 6 section models as the lower sections get very thin and they take longer to set up.

Echo63 wrote in post #17806793
You could add a QR clamp to it (i assume the 3/8 thread is ok) and just put plates on the bottom of your lenses.

Make sure you hold onto the strap if you carry the monopod/lens over your shoulder

Yes, referring to the camera mounting screw. Manfrotto says that the head can't be replaced. Have to replace the entire top 1/3 section of the monopod at a price of about $50, basically the cost of a new pod. I'll try to free it up using rust buster. Thanks all.

I'd add a tilt head to it using the larger 3/8 thread that's there.