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Old 25-04-06, 16:44
Don Hoey's Avatar
Don Hoey Don Hoey is offline  
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4,462
Thumbs up Slik 88 Head Overhaul.

Yesterday when I bought my new head I was chatting to the guy in the shop, and found he is another that is still using the Slik 88 tripod. I promised him a pictorial explosion to allow him to give it an overhaul. I thought it worth posting here for other users of this tripod.

As can be seen from the attached pictures the bearings are aluminium running on plastic axles. In time the aluminium bearings become scored and this gives a rough action to the head.

By stripping the head down and cleaning these up, the action can be made to be ' like new '.

Materials required : Preferably 600 grade Wet & Dry ( certainly no coarser than 400grit ) or Scotchbright / Wire Wool. Silicone grease is preferable for reassembly. Not quite as messy as auto LM grease, but that would do.
No tools are required. eg screwdrivers etc.

I have attached an exploded view and a part rebuilt view to show the relationship of the parts.

To disassemble,
1. Remove the head from the legs.
2. Unscrew and remove the tilt handle, making sure not to loose the clamps and thrust washer.
3. Twist and pull the top part away from the base. The green end cap is a push fit into the base section so it will come away attached to the top part.
4. Undo the pan handle and withdraw. Again make sure not to loose the clamp and thrust washer.
5. Twist and pull the 2 base sections apart. The ball level is a push fit into the base so will come out with the upper part.

The bearings can now be pushed out and cleaned up. Take a degree of care here as aluminium is a soft material, and as will be seen can score quite easily. It is not necessary to remove all scoring but certainly try to get a reasonably smooth inner surface. Check both axles and remove any burrs. Clean all parts thoroughly, grease and then reassemble.
NOTE : The bearing for the top section is keyed and can only go in, in one direction. The green end cap also has a key moulded in and can only go back in one orientation.

Your head should then work like new.

Don
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Slik 88 Head components.jpg (129.1 KB, 78 views)
File Type: jpg Slik 88 Head rebuild.jpg (108.5 KB, 74 views)
File Type: jpg Slik 88 Bearings.jpg (110.6 KB, 70 views)
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