Getting port off Olympus housing

[PhilW]

I know these ports can be very hard to remove because they are a very tight interference fit. I have heard you may need to use a strap wrench to get them off. Any other hints people have on getting them off?

 

[terson]

Just the strap wrench mate and I think from memory that they turn the opposite way?
When I put my Olympus ports on/in, I smear a huge amount of silicon grease all over the surface and that way they glide in and out with no problems.
When you've put the new port in, carefully wipe away any excess silicon and you're right to go.
I used to get one of my sons to hold the housing while I twisted the port before I started using the silicon grease!
Bruce

 

[PhilW]

Thanks Bruce. I have already enlisted the teenager but it is proving stubborn (the port, not the teenager in this case). Think I need a strap wrench - any recommendations?

 

[chile7236]

when i first took mine off, it took forever...the thing barely budged. now, i am able to get it off only slightly easier....all with bare hands.

 

[terson]

Thanks Bruce. I have already enlisted the teenager but it is proving stubborn (the port, not the teenager in this case). Think I need a strap wrench - any recommendations?

Supercheap auto have them at a reasonable price. Also Bunnings but from memory they were more expensive than Supercheap?
Pain in the bum mate but will come in handy. . .

 

[deeper thoughts]

ditto for the strap wrench

 

[chris196]

I have used the strap wrench with success.
First time getting the port off was difficult.

They are a little difficult, but once you do it a couple of times it gets much easier.

The biggest problem I had was trying to get the locking tab and screw back in. I seriously considered whether this was necessary.
Has anyone tried using the housing without the locking tab?

 

[chile7236]

i used it once without the locking tab screw and was fine....then i thought i'd better not push my luck and put it back in

 

[gb_williams]

Something that I found very helpful in removing and replacing the port: open the housing. If it's closed, it's like a vacuum and you'll be pulling against the negative air pressure. If it's closed when you try to replace the port, you'll be pushing to compress the positive air pressure. (Maybe that's obvious to all of you, but I'm fairly new to underwater photography and discovered it by accident.) When I bought my E-PM1 and PT-EP06 I also bought a strap wrench. I haven't used it. With the housing open, I have little trouble turning and pulling the port. (I hope that doesn't turn into a bad thing.)

 

[gert7to3]

I replaced my Oly flat port with a Zen dome. The port was tight initially, but eventually came free. The Zen dome went right in as did the original port when I tried it later.

The locking tab is just what the name describes, it prevents the port from rotating. If you use accessory lenses, or handle the housing with the lens port barrel, it is possible to loosen or detach the port. This wouldn't happen at depth, but it could happen in a wash tank or with handing your camera up after surfacing. You have just 1/3 rd of a turn on those mounting lugs holding the port on.