Common problem: drop targets that don't drop on hard, solid hits. Seems particularly an issue w/ newer sterns, or games that have them up front on the playfield (GB, CC). Two questions:

1. How have you solved this problem on various games? Stronger springs seem an obvious solution, but I just put those "GB Fix" springs on my bond and if anything it's worse. I've heard folks say stretching/weaking springs helps sometimes, though that makes no sense to me. I've seen various other solutions for different games, like triming the ledge on some old games, and of course "play around it."

2. What sorts of things can really be the issue here? The obvious, and most common I could see would be not enough tension in the down spring to pull it past the lip before it riccochets back on a hard shot, but there must be more going on here. Most games also have a compression spring to push it forward - can you weaken these maybe? A plastic holding lip too long could contribute too. Must be other things I'm not thinking of.

Looking to solve this aggravation on my fancy new toy, but also to improve my general approach to future battles since it's clearly not as simple as "stronger springs."

Interesting. As in, smaller diameter so it's tighter (and this thinner), or does someone actually make thinner rings?

By shortening them, I presume?

I'm really surprised I'm having issues w/ bond still. They're in line of fire but back pretty far on the playfield...made sense w/ GB having them so close to the flippers.

Good call linking that, was actually reading that one this morning.

I guess the scientist in me figures there must be a way to comprehensively understand the problem(s), and comprehensively fix them. Figure it's a good subject for extended discussion because it's a common problem that seems to have more than one cause.

Interesting that the problem resolved, but came back. Implies there is a factor that changes over time. Most obvious thing would be springs stretching over time - would be interested if shortening the springs had any effect now. Another thought - sounds like the game had been sitting unplayed a while. *If* the metal ledge is rough, as someone mentioned above, I could see it wearing a groove while sitting that could worsen issues. Just spit balling. If it worked and then stopped working, Something had to change....