I believe that I have just had a revelation! Up to now I have treated the adjusting of the swing arm as if it was on a threaded rod, meaning that when the rod was turned in one direction it meant a positive "screwing" movement in either direction of the swing arm, (OK Tripod, have fun with that statement! 
) I believe I now understand that that this is not the case. What I was not understanding was the "seating of the bearing." Now I believe that I am realizing that the swing arm is on a smooth rod and one must "seat the bearing" against the swing arm so to"push" the swing arm on the rod. So the adjusting of the swing arm involves two things to happen, first to "loosen" the side in which one wants to move the swing arm towards, and then pushing the swing arm by "tightening" the other side. Is this correct? Those that may be more knowledgeable about this please chime in to correct me if I am still misinformed?
Bill
