ball head problem

The panoramic bit of my Arca swiss ball head has seized up. The head

was stuck on my tripod so I put some WD40 on it. I got the head off

but the bottom plate no longer turns. I guess its full of WD40.The

ball still works.

 

I am off on a trip in 3 days so no time to send it off to get fixed.

Can I wash it out with alcohol?

 

There are 3 screws at the bottom -would it be a mistake to undo

these??

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Harry.

The WD-40 was a mistake. it probably needs to go back and get a thourh

cleaning before it makes it's way up to the ball clutch mechanism. do you

needthe address or a contact?

You are pressed for time; remove those 3 bottom screws. Flood the whole works with hot, soapy water. Rinse w/ hot water. Dry. Worked for me.

I'm not sure WD-40 would sieze the head (though it's probably not a good idea to get it into the mechanism). The panoramic base is a precision machined part. In fact I've had mine sieze up if I tightened the locking set screws on a bogen tripod head platform. I presume they slightly distorted the base. It was fine when I backed them off.

 

I just hope you didn't use too much force on it and distort it enough that the panoramic base is sticking.

 

The B1 is a great ball head, but it's a precision device and needs a little care. For example it should never be removed from a tripod by locking the base and turning the head. You really need to turn it only by the fixed base (a padded strap wrench can be useful if it gets stuck).