How do I replace the hotshoe mount?
I found a company that had the part for $10 but now I cannot find it.
These instructions are for the 550ex and I imagine that the bodies of the flash units are the same.
As with any project, make sure to get a good workspace with plenty of light where you won't drop any screws and lose them...
1) There are 4 screws on the bottom of the flash unit that you'll want to unscrew first. Carefully tilt back the bottom section away from the red filter which covers the "eye".
2) There is a set of wires going to a white harness in the piece you just tilted off which you can carefully disconnect with a small flathead screwdriver working it on either side.
3) The same type of harness attaches another set of wires but this one is just inside the body of the flash in the cavity you just opened up. This one is a bit wider and you should undo that harness in the same, careful manner.
4) Next, you have to remove the master/slave switch which is attached with two small screws that you'll need to carefully undo. The actual switch is attached to the tiny board you are unscrewing. There is a plate covering that switch that is the piece you actually push when you want to switch it. That piece will come out when you take the actual switch out so remember which direction it went.
5) Now you should have exposed four small screws as you look straight down into the piece you're working with. These screws hold on the shoe you're replacing. With some decent force against the screws, carefully unscrew them. These don't come out very easily so you want to make sure you have the right sized screwdriver that fits and that you're applying some downward force. MAKE SURE you don't strip the head on these screws.
6) Turn the whole piece so that the shoe is facing upwards. Now you can carefully pull off the shoe. Make sure to not lose the loose spring that is under this thing. You'll see that there are 5 prongs sticking up, a horizontal metal piece, and a small rod looking piece with a spring that fits over it. Take note of how these all go so you can put the new one on with those pieces in the right places.
7) Put the new piece on and screw everything back in the reverse order. Voila! You just saved yourself a bunch of money and hassle. Thanks for the tip on where to get that piece, by the way, I had been looking around for it.
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The shoe mount on my Canon Speedlite 580EX broke. I found a replacement part for $10 at US Camera.
This is the link to the 550EX. I did order the correct part.
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