Lubricate A Gimbal? at DVinfo.net

Dave Largent · October 16th, 2003, 03:11 AM

It came up on another forum that someone had heard that after some use, stablizer gimbals are not as smooth as they once were.
The question was asked: Do gimbals require/benefit from some type of lubrication?

Jeff Donald · October 16th, 2003, 08:43 AM

Most gimbals use sealed ball bearings that never require lubrication. My first job out of college was as a sales engineer for a ball bearing distributor (I had to do something to pay off those loans). If you have any additional questions about bearings, get the number off the side of the race. If the bearing is sticking, it may have dirt in the bearing or a flat spot on a steel ball. Either case requires the replacement of the bearing. Steel balls can not be individually replaced and sealed bearings can not be relubricated.

Charles Papert · October 16th, 2003, 09:22 AM

What Jeff said is empirically true about sealed bearings, but I'm not entirely sure if the various manufacturers are using sealed bearings in this class of stabilizer. The gimbal in the high end rigs are not sealed and do require cleaning, particularly the pan bearing. The recommended regimen is to strip the gimbal down to the bearing race, spray it with a residue-free contact cleaner to clean it, and then use a single drop of very light machine oil to lubricate it. I should be cleaning my gimbal once every few months, but I admit to being lazy enough that I only do it twice a year.

Jeff Donald · October 16th, 2003, 10:20 AM

If sealed bearings are not being used then a cleaning and relubrication might help. The recommended cleaner would be a product like this LPS product. Depending upon the size and load on the bearing a single drop may not be sufficient lubrication to protect the bearing. However, more lubrication may reduce friction too much. The manufactures may be using lack of lubrication (increased friction) to help control the load. The lack of proper lubrication will lead to premature wear of both the steel balls and races and cause premature bearing failure. Do you know what model Steadicam is being used?

Dave Largent · October 27th, 2003, 11:54 AM

Yes, Jeff. The unit in question is the Steadicam JR.

Charles Papert · October 27th, 2003, 12:30 PM

The JR uses sealed bearings, I believe. I replaced the gimbal assembly on mine years ago and was astonished at how inexpensive it was, but I can't remember the figure.

Jeff Donald · October 27th, 2003, 01:35 PM

Ball bearings are relatively Cheap if you buy from a distributor.

Charles Papert · October 27th, 2003, 02:49 PM

The JR gimbal assembly is too small, intricate and customized to be able to be repaired, I believe, Jeff. It's much easier just to screw the assembly off and replace it.

The gimbal on my full-size rig can be field-stripped, cleaned and lubricated...the tolerances and specs are so precise that no-one has dared to replace parts rather than with the manufacturer. I had to replace the pan bearings and race once; it cost something amazing like $800...!

I just gave Tiffen a call on your behalf, Dave. Other than what Jeff and I recommended in terms of blowing out the dirt and applying a very small amount of light lubricant, I discovered that to replace the gimbal and handle assembly is $90.

October 16th, 2003, 03:11 AM	#1
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Lubricate A Gimbal? It came up on another forum that someone had heard that after some use, stablizer gimbals are not as smooth as they once were. The question was asked: Do gimbals require/benefit from some type of lubrication?

October 16th, 2003, 08:43 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Most gimbals use sealed ball bearings that never require lubrication. My first job out of college was as a sales engineer for a ball bearing distributor (I had to do something to pay off those loans). If you have any additional questions about bearings, get the number off the side of the race. If the bearing is sticking, it may have dirt in the bearing or a flat spot on a steel ball. Either case requires the replacement of the bearing. Steel balls can not be individually replaced and sealed bearings can not be relubricated. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 16th, 2003, 09:22 AM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	What Jeff said is empirically true about sealed bearings, but I'm not entirely sure if the various manufacturers are using sealed bearings in this class of stabilizer. The gimbal in the high end rigs are not sealed and do require cleaning, particularly the pan bearing. The recommended regimen is to strip the gimbal down to the bearing race, spray it with a residue-free contact cleaner to clean it, and then use a single drop of very light machine oil to lubricate it. I should be cleaning my gimbal once every few months, but I admit to being lazy enough that I only do it twice a year. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 16th, 2003, 10:20 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	If sealed bearings are not being used then a cleaning and relubrication might help. The recommended cleaner would be a product like this LPS product. Depending upon the size and load on the bearing a single drop may not be sufficient lubrication to protect the bearing. However, more lubrication may reduce friction too much. The manufactures may be using lack of lubrication (increased friction) to help control the load. The lack of proper lubrication will lead to premature wear of both the steel balls and races and cause premature bearing failure. Do you know what model Steadicam is being used? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 27th, 2003, 12:30 PM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	The JR uses sealed bearings, I believe. I replaced the gimbal assembly on mine years ago and was astonished at how inexpensive it was, but I can't remember the figure. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 27th, 2003, 11:54 AM	#5
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Yes, Jeff. The unit in question is the Steadicam JR.

October 27th, 2003, 01:35 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Ball bearings are relatively Cheap if you buy from a distributor. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 27th, 2003, 02:49 PM	#8
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	The JR gimbal assembly is too small, intricate and customized to be able to be repaired, I believe, Jeff. It's much easier just to screw the assembly off and replace it. The gimbal on my full-size rig can be field-stripped, cleaned and lubricated...the tolerances and specs are so precise that no-one has dared to replace parts rather than with the manufacturer. I had to replace the pan bearings and race once; it cost something amazing like $800...! I just gave Tiffen a call on your behalf, Dave. Other than what Jeff and I recommended in terms of blowing out the dirt and applying a very small amount of light lubricant, I discovered that to replace the gimbal and handle assembly is $90. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com