the hinge where the arms open feels loose and wobbly on my ghd, is it going to break?

Diagnosis

The instability in your ghd Platinum Plus Professional Styler is caused by the degradation of the tensioning assembly within the central pivot joint. Because this model utilizes a high-torque spring mechanism to ensure the plates clamp firmly together, the constant mechanical stress of opening and closing the arms eventually causes the internal pivot screw to back out from its seated position. When this screw loses its grip, the arms lose their axial alignment, resulting in a "wobble" or a feeling of lateral play when you shake the device. You can confirm this is a mechanical screw issue rather than a structural crack by attempting to move the arms slowly. If you feel a "click" or a slight shifting sensation specifically at the fulcrum point, the screw has migrated. If the arms feel loose but the plastic housing shows no visible stress fractures or white "stress marks" in the polymer, the internal hardware is simply loose. If the wobble is accompanied by a grinding sound, the internal bushings may have worn down, but in 90% of cases, it is simply a loose fastener.

How to Fix It

To stabilize the hinge, you will need a precision electronics toolkit, specifically a Phillips #00 or #000 screwdriver. Standard household screwdrivers are too wide and will strip the recessed screw head.

1. Ensure the styler is unplugged and has cooled for at least 30 minutes. Attempting this while the plates are hot can lead to burns or warping of the plastic housing if you apply too much pressure.
2. Hold the styler vertically so the hinge is facing you. Locate the small, circular recessed aperture on the side of the black hinge housing. This hole is intentionally deep to protect the screw from accidental turning during use.
3. Insert the Phillips #00 screwdriver perfectly perpendicular to the housing. If you enter at an angle, you will strip the head of the screw, making it impossible to tighten.
4. Apply light downward pressure to ensure the driver is fully seated in the screw head. Turn the screw clockwise in small, 1/8th-turn increments.
5. After every two turns, open and close the arms to test the tension. You are looking for a point where the arms move smoothly without lateral play, but without requiring excessive force to open.
6. Once the wobble is gone, give the screw one final "snug" turn (approximately 15 degrees) to lock it in place. Do not overtighten, as the plastic threads in the housing can strip, which would require a full replacement of the hinge assembly.

If That Didn't Work

• Check for Housing Fractures: Inspect the plastic pivot point using a magnifying glass and a bright light. If you see a hairline crack in the black polymer surrounding the screw hole, the screw is no longer gripping the plastic. In this case, a small amount of industrial-grade epoxy (like J-B Weld) can be applied to the exterior of the joint to reinforce the structure, though this will permanently lock the hinge in place if it seeps inside.
• Bushing Replacement: If the screw is tight but the wobble persists, the internal nylon bushings have likely worn thin. This requires a full teardown of the chassis. Since the Platinum Plus is a sealed unit, this involves removing the outer casing screws. You can attempt to lubricate the joint with a single drop of high-temperature silicone lubricant applied to the pivot point to reduce friction and "settle" the joint.
• Spring Tension Failure: If the arms feel "floppy" rather than just "wobbly," the internal tension spring may have snapped or lost its temper. This cannot be fixed with a screwdriver; you will need to contact ghd for a professional replacement of the internal chassis or a warranty claim if the device is under two years old.

Heads Up

• Avoid Lubricants: Never use WD-40 or oil near the hinge. These substances can migrate onto the ceramic plates, causing the plates to smoke or leave oily residues on your hair during styling.
• Storage Habit: Avoid storing your styler in a position where the arms are forced open or pressed tightly together for long periods, as this puts unnecessary torque on the pivot screw.
• Tension Balance: If you tighten the hinge too much, you will increase the effort required to open the styler, which can lead to wrist fatigue and may actually accelerate the wear on the plastic housing.