I think you might have to adjust the micro switches. This used to happen to mine. My other 2 have the "tent".

http://www.flipperwinkel.nl/winkel/contents/nl/d95.html

I always wondered why Stern changed the design. I "downgraded" to the original ball lock on my LOTR LE and I haven't had a single ball ever fall off. I guess I have been lucky...and hopefully didn't just jinx myself...!

Here's where I found it.

Just ordered mine....

http://thepinwitch.com/gx2/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2598_lord-of-the-rings---hooded-ball-guide.html/XTCsid/e3c50b199dff68d21dce402023a88676//XTCsid/e3c50b199dff68d21dce402023a88676

EDIT-see above post.
If you are unable to find the part on the internet. I would recommend contacting Gexchange. JJ is very helpful for locating Stern parts.

Robin-
I switched out my tent style to the original with no problems.
PM me and I can send you my old one. (anything for the Godfather of Pinside)
By the way.. where the hell is Alkmaar?

Pinheads helping pinheads, right on

This was an issue on mostly 2003 runs. On later runs the added the "tent" and made the plunger lock (white plastic thingy that stops the balls) thicker. If yours is a 2003 run you might look at getting the thicker lock plunger.

i don't have the tent version and never had any problems.

you mean your balls fall off the ramp when it gets over the switches?, i don't think the tent version will change anything, maybe your switches are too high or sword too low.

I have a problem with the gate diverter on my LOTR- it opens but wont close back up- leaving the shot open to the vuk into potd. Is the gate spring loaded? what should I look at to get this working again?

thanks

Look inside cover of the game manual and there is a detailed description of how to adjust the gate.
There is a spring so if that appears damaged you may need a replacement. It is also possible that the coil could just need to be cleaned up and also maybe replacing the coil sleeve if there is one.

I have the real fix for this, haven't seen it posted yet. The problem is the plastic stop post isn't centered in the ball channel. The fix is easy: lift the pf, and manually bend the coil bracket a bit so the post is centered and straight. Done.

I swapped the tent/covered ramp guide to the original open one, and have no problems with balls dropping off once I adjusted the post.

Pinball Life sells them. I would think it is the updated version. Kinda wish I had taken a pic of the two different ones side by side when I still had the 2003 run game here. Oh well, maybe I'll get another one and get my pics then.

Here is the PBL link. I suppose you could also email Terry and have him measure the diameter to see if it is different than what you have.

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=613

Much cheaper solution. Add a couple of these little black rubber posts on the sword ramp. They are the ones that are made to keep the motherboard in a PC from making contact with the metal housing. I will try to add a pic tomorrow.

Here are some pics from my cell phone.

2013-01-02_20-41-40_473.jpg 2013-01-02_20-43-31_861.jpg

Just used the sticky that is on the bottom of them along with a little museum putty. They have not come loose yet.

Very strange. I've never seen a ball come off the sword ramp when I owned the LE before, or the LOTR that I have on loan here now...or any that I've played on location. I never knew this was an issue.

Likewise. Guess we should consider ourselves lucky by the looks of it.

I have never had a ball come off in that location. Robin do you have your game at a much steeper pitch than 6.5 degrees possibly? Too much speed from excessive pitch could cause the ball to bounce when it hits the lock mechanism.

I used the downgrade kit and balls started to drop off just as you described, I was a sucker for the original look. Put the tent sized one back on and the problem went away.

For me it is when another ball comes down the ramp real quick and knocks one that is already there off the ramp.

Anyone have an extra tent they don't use? I think that was a good update by Stern.

Oh, it totally is. The ball flew off of the ramp on my non-"tent" LOTR about 4 out of 5 times regardless of pitch and many other factors. I finally got the tent and it has been perfect ever since. I'd highly recommend it to anyone with the problem.

robin,

No problem. I got next though. Anyone have another tent?

After fixing my ring ramp issue (bad angle, switches not always making contact), I was able to score 302M on LOTR. Highest score ever. Also destroyed the ring once.

Looks good robin. Hoping I can be the next charity case for one. And yes, I know I can buy one.

So this appears to be the issue I have on my machine with the original ball lock where it will bounce off the post. It doesn't appear to the "tent" version is for sale anywhere anymore. Does anyone have other suggestions?