LT4 adjustment?

"… doesn't want to insert all the way in …"
I assume you mean when you are collapsing them?

Measure the two sections and report back:
– the length of the lower section from the top of the tip unit
– the length of the top section, end-to-end

You don't need to do anything the the phillips screw holding the rubber expansion plug.

Adjusting is sometimes a PITA.
I pull the sections apart until the end of the top section is sitting on the expansion plug.
I twist and watch (and feel) the expansion plug start to barely tighten/engage.
If I fail to engage I tighten the expansion plus by hand, or by GENTLY "bending" and twisting.
I twist and push the two sections together (versus pushing them together and then twisting).

"The problem I'm having is that the tip section doesn't seem to want to insert all the way into the handle section. Do I need to loosen the phillips screw before inserting it?"

It sounds like the expander plug is already in expanded mode, i.e. all the way down the screw toward the carbon body of the tip shaft. To insert the tip into the upper section, turn the expander plug counterclockwise until it butts up against the head of the screw, then insert into upper section. It should go in easily.

"Also, what's the secret to adjusting these right in the field? There have been times when the poles wouldn't tighten down just right, such that the top section would just spin round and round."

Since your expander plug is new and assuming both the expander plug and inside of the upper pole section are dry, you may have some wear on the inside of the upper pole section if you always set the pole to the same length. Try pulling the tip section out a little ways and attempt to tighten again. If it doesn't work, repeat until you get it to grip, then loosen just a little, push it in a little and retighten until it grips. Repeat until you have the pole set to the desired length. Worst case, pull the tip section all the way out, loosen the expander plug just enough to allow it to insert in the upper section, tighten until it grips, then proceed as above until you have the pole set to the desired length. It's tedious, but sometimes that is what you have to do. At some point in time, the expander plugs will start to show a "wear" ring about midway down the plug, and this process will get really tedious. Then it is time time to send the tip section to GG for expander replacement. They used to sell the plugs, but now you have to let them do it.

If i ever have trouble getting the expander to engage, I loosen the bottom section and separate the two pieces. I being the rubber "expander" close to my mouth and spit on it. Re-insert the lower section to the upper section, tighten and viola! That usually solves the problems for me.

As for the length discrepancy; unless if proves to be a huge weight problem just "live" with it. If you have a 'mid shelter the extra length could prove invaluable to getting the right height. Otherwise, I have no solutions for that.

best of luck,

James

Well,

I put the two tip sections side by side (the old by the new), and strangely enough the new one is about 1/2" to 3/4" longer. Strange. So apparently now it won't collapse all the way and so won't fit in the original cardboard tube for transport/storage.

Has anyone else had this issue?

My original LT4's are from about circa 2009, about 4 yrs old.

"So apparently now it won't collapse all the way and so won't fit in the original cardboard tube for transport/storage."

Have you tried disassembling the poles, removing the baskets, and then placing all the sections in the tube? That is what I do, because my poles won't fit in the tube
when they are assembled either. If that doesn't work, try a tube from UPS. If that doesn't work, go down to Home Depot and pick up a piece of PVC pipe and a couple of caps.