I have an older Manfrotto Bogen 3055 Heavy Duty Ball Head tripod mount that is getting very stiff. What can I use to lubricate/loosen up the ball joint.
to be honest your not supposed to lubricate a ball head to begin with as it is counter productive to its functionality.
you can attempt to use some WD40 to clean it out somewhat and then wipe off. since the assy is made with Mg alloy corrosion is more apt to occur. the fact you are using the Bogen name in it tells my its fairly old.
if you start seeing whitish/greyish powder/crud coming out of it. start looking for a new head. they aren't worth repairing.
I open it up and cleaned. Used some WD40 and wiped. Better, but still a little stiff. I had read a silicone base lubricant could be effective but haven't tried. If anyone ever needs to open up it is not very complicated and the correct Allen wrench is in attached inside the rubber cap on the bottom of the center extension pole. (Found by accident when I removed cap to slide out.)
steve_a_reno wrote:
I open it up and cleaned. Used some WD40 and wiped. Better, but still a little stiff. I had read a silicone base lubricant could be effective but haven't tried. If anyone ever needs to open up it is not very complicated and the correct Allen wrench is in attached inside the rubber cap on the bottom of the center extension pole. (Found by accident when I removed cap to slide out.)
the operative word is lubricant. you don't lube a ball head ball. that then reduces is friction making it less effective and usable.
I worked the locking lever back and forth several times while I move the ball head around. This seemed to regain a great deal of fluidity with the ball head. Could have been the pressure from the lever not releasing 100%. ABout as good as new now.
