Manfrotto 327 ball head not tight

christopher4130

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CHRIS ROBERTON
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I've just bought this ball head second hand and I can't manage to get it to be stiff - I've tried the tension dial and the tension lock screw, still very very loose.

The grip part that touches the fingers seems to be too far from the rest of the grip (see pic), but that's just a guess.

Anyone have any experience with this? Anyone know of how to fix it/which replacement part to buy?

Thanks!!

 
I suggest you get in touch with this company for fault diagnosis and source of spares

PS and welcome to TP
 
If it doesn't work as it should, return it for a refund.
 
I washed my hands with Manfrotto years ago.
I use a tripod for a large chunk of my shots.
I had 4 Befrees before I got one with a head that actually gripped steady.
I've had other problems with legs as well as heads.
I also have one similar to the one you are having problems with but luckily that works fine but its never used these days.

I switched to Vanguard and have had no problems whatsoever.
I recently bought a Benro Rhino - best tripod I've owned (so far ;) )
 
I've got the earlier version. The issue with them can be that the owner doesn't read the instructions and the ball gets lubricated to make it smoother, which is the exact opposite of what should be done! DO NOT OIL IT!!!!!!!!

The head comes apart very easily and you'll find there's a friction pad inside that bears against the ball. I dismantled mine (also bought used and oiled!),cleaned both the friction pad and ball with isopropyl, reassembled it and it's stayed slip free ever since.

There is, if I remember correctly, an adjustment to set the trigger position too via an Allen screw.

You'll find user instructions and an exploded diagram on the Manfrotto web site.
 
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I've got the earlier version. The issue with them can be that the owner doesn't read the instructions and the ball gets lubricated to make it smoother, which is the exact opposite of what should be done! DO NOT OIL IT!!!!!!!!

The head comes apart very easily and you'll find there's a friction pad inside that bears against the ball. I dismantled mine (also bought used and oiled!),cleaned both the friction pad and ball with isopropyl, reassembled it and it's stayed slip free ever since.

There is, if I remember correctly, an adjustment to set the trigger position too via an Allen screw.

You'll find user instructions and an exploded diagram on the Manfrotto web site.
There is an exploded diagram PDF on the page I linked above :)
 
If it doesn't work as it should, return it for a refund.
That was my first thought but as the OP points out a possible issue with the lever handle........made me think he is more determined about sorting it than getting a refund :thinking:
 
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