Does it prevent you from starting multiball or does it just always give you credit for the dropped target?

Unfortunately, the picture is not self explanatory. It's obvious that its dropped. But does it try to raise it? Does it machine gun a few times and give up? Does it start up then fall? Definitely need more details.

If its not really trying to raise it, the switch that tells the state if the target could be part of the problem. You should experiment in switch test to see.

maybe if you try to move the target bank a little bit to the right?

Mine did the same thing! There was a metal burr on the mounting bracket behind one of the washers that positioned the drop too close to the edge. I removed the drop and the washers, and knocked the burr off with a screwdriver. Works great now. Results may vary. If your target is rubbing on the playfield, that would cause a problem there, too. Try centering your target bank first.

Not ripping Metallica here. Played it; liked it. But I just can't understand for the life of me why the two big hang ups on the last 2 Sterns are drop targets (Metallica) and plunger (Avengers). Are you kidding me? These are the two most old school features on pinball machine that have been part of pinball forever? How do you screw these up?

How do you screw these up?

In trying to figure this out, I looked at all my other games with drops, and Breakshot has the most similar designed targets that never have a problem. If you compare the two you will see why one works way better than the other.

DSCN1567.JPG DSCN1568.JPG

Notice the Breakshot targets are positioned forward near the edge of the cuttout in the playfield. This allows for plenty of travel before they can get pinned, and a soft compression spring can be used.

Metallica's targets are made with more of a forward lean, and are positioned near the rear of the cuttout, which allows less travel and uses a stiffer compression system. Location adjustment is made with washers and is critical. Too far forward, and a good hit won't move the target enough to drop. Too far rearward, and it won't stay up.

Mine works great now, but as time goes on and parts wear, this could be an ongoing issue throughout the life of these machines, unless it gets redesigned.

Sometimes if you loosen all the mounting screws, you can nudge it over just enough. If that won't happen you may want to contact Stern. I would be more inclined to try to elongate the mounting holes in the bracket than drill new playfield holes. You shouldn't have to move the target very much to keep it from rubbing.

Very helpful post in a tech help thread.

I have some small round files I use for this very purpose. Tedious, yet simple and effective. Try nudging it first.

It's not a bug, you have a mechanical issue.

Bug to me is software, you have a hardware problem

There is only one coil that pushes them all up. If one isn't getting pushed up in test mode, then you have a mechanical issue not a software issue.

If it is rubbing on the side of the playfield it may not catch on the ledge and stay up. The way these are adjusted is right on the edge and mine was just dropping during the game because of vibration, until I corrected the adjustment by removing the burr. And yes one mechanism raises all drops. As long as it is raising them high enough, your problem is position adjustment.

If I were you I would push it up manually, watch what it does. Also do it using coil test. Do it 20 times. Watch it. Figure out why the target lip isn't catching. Then adjust the mech so it does

Just pointing out that there is no way, shape, or form that drop downs should be a problem on a 2013 pinball machine. Maybe if Stern implemented LCD's on their pinballs finally and those were troublesome, that might be one thing. But problems with drop downs? It would be like Ford suddenly having trouble with their steering wheels.

This should not be occupying your time on a new pinball purchase and I hope it gets resolved soon!

Our brand new Chevy Cruz had a recall where the steering wheel would actually come off while you were driving it. Shit happens, pins are mostly hand made and not tested much. Part of pinball is fixing them, new or not...Stern or JJP or whoever else..

Sucks man, I wish I could help more.. my first drop smashed in half within the first 20 games :/

There is a screw on the bottom of the mech you can use to adjust the targets upwards I believe. That back one does seem to be sitting a bit low in the hole?

If it's out of line and rubbing, you will have to move it over somehow like others have said..

If it's not rubbing on the playfield, there are two washers behind the drop where the compression spring is. Removing the thin one might do the trick. If it is rubbing on the playfield, get yourself a small round file and make the mounting holes in the bracket a tad larger in the right direction.

A lot easier than replacing a water pump on a GM Quad 4 engine.

And that!

I've tried to break mine, but no dice! They work great. I think I'll try to go break them now. Good luck with the repair.

I understand you're just pointing that out. I'm "just pointing out" how that fact has nothing to do with helping the OP fix his machine in this tech thread.

Snaroff: I tend to think this could be switch related. If the switch doesn't think the target is up, it will machine gun trying to raise it. So if its not doing that, Id blame the switch as well as adjust the screw to make it easier to reset.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/n-h-t-s-a-investigates-ford-super-duty-steering-loss/

Holy cow, Ford is having problems with their steering wheels!

You're grossly oversimplifying the situation. The drop target assembly on MET is an all new assembly. Initially, after seeing the underside of one, I figured everything but the plastic targets themselves was new. Now, I'm thinking the targets are new too. It's a much more streamlined assembly than the one used on WOF. Way less materials. Material cost per unit has to be cheaper than the WOF assembly. If they can get the bugs out, it will help keep costs down.

As I've said before, Stern is making a lot of changes lately. They're moving to new boards, LED lighting and trying other new things. Sales were up 30% last year, so they can afford to try new things. Things should settle down soon, but for the near future, any new game you buy from them is taking a slightly bigger chance than you would've buying five years ago.

The good news is that they're making way, way better games these days, once you get the bugs worked out. I'd rather play a MET pro with brickish drops than an IJ4 in perfect working order. Not even close.

I enjoy repairing pins,and do so at the shows and at mates houses's.
But the issues of a 10,000 dollar pin(yes that's what an LE costs in the UK),are a right fly in the ointment.
If it was a random failure that would be fine - new things break.Work in aircraft and have seen that a few times.But issues that happen to multiple people eg the aux board or the MET magnet down issue just leaves a bad taste in the mouth,on anything that expensive.
Especially when you do like the game,but the issues are taking away some of the enjoyment.Hopefully they will be fixed for all.Otherwise I would seriously think twice on ever getting a NIB first run again

poi

Taking a thin washer off the top front two drops just worked for me with the new softer drops.

Does anyone have pics of the screws and or washers that you've used to adjust the mech. Mine has worked flawlessly until recently. Looks centered. But 3rd drop sometimes won't stay up. I will dig in and take some detailed pics later. Maybe its obvious which screws and washers when you are looking at it.

Screws not required, just some thin plain washers. Once you the unit disassembled from the Playfield you will see it more clear. No worries

So i spent some time examining my drop target mech. I dont appear to have an alignment issue, drops arent rubbing the playfield. I did notice that the 3rd target only sits on the mech ledge with one side of the target. The ledge isnt straight it was kinda bent away from the target on one side.

I removed the mech and after looking at what it would take to remove that washer, i decided it wasnt worth it. There are all kinds of springs and clips etc. just thought it would be slightly over my skill level at the moment. If i had to do it id get by. But i dont.

I ended up just slightly bending the mech ledge to make it slightly closer to the target and striaghter. Now the target always stays up when the game resets them. If anything i may have gotten it too close. Cause sometimes hard shots that directly hit the target dont knock it down. It is very tempormental setup.

I'm not sure about u guys ..But i am on my 4th replacement target and every time i replace one i always have to re tweak to get them all to reset and stay set till until they get hit. Getting to a point where i don't want to play anymore just in case i break a target again.

So what is the best way to adjust the drops so they drop when hit? Light/slow balls always knock mine down, but hard fast hits and they stay up sometimes. I added some tension on the spring by shortening it, but that doesnt seem to help. Shorten it more? Are ther replacement springs that are stiffer and available to purchase? Or is it all in bending the mech ledge just the right way?

Is your machine out of warrantee? mine is so i figured it would be and arm and a leg to get new parts. Are you saying that they sent you new target mech for free?

It's a known issue with stern I'm sure they'd send new targets.

I just replaced my drops yesterday, my distributor sent me a new set complete with instructions. The main difference in set up was I had a pile of thin washers left over. I did originally leave the extra washers in just like it was before, but the targets didn't stay up properly. So I took it apart again, followed instructions carefully, left out the un needed extra small washers and it works fine.

Ok im gonna email my distributor and see where i can get. Even if it just gives me extra parts to keep around itd be worth it. Thanks for the info.

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