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» Minimum Steps to Replace Pop Bumper Light Socket

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Minimum Steps to Replace Pop Bumper Light Socket

By classic-chevyguy

5 years ago

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19 posts
8 Pinsiders participating
Latest reply 5 years ago by goldenboy232
Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

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Airport Gottlieb, 1969

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#1 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

Making great progress on my 1969 Gottlieb Airport machine.

Most of the credit belongs to members of this incredible forum who are willing to provide great technical assistance to a newbie.

My next step is to replace the lamp sockets in the Pop Bumpers.

I have done everything to get the sockets to work but to no avail.

Seems like the bottom plate is too low to provide the spring motion to hold the bulb securely in the socket, and can't seem to get a tool to pull it up.

The Pop Bumpers are working well and in good shape.

All the info I can find focuses on rebuilding the Pop Bumper and, btw, replace the lamp socket.

Is there a way to replace the lamp socket without taking the entire Pop Bumper assembly completely apart?

Thanks to all members who help us.

#2 5 years ago

MDS

schwism

Pinside+ Frequent

Edmond, OK

5y 56,150 336 31

You should be able to get something like a switch adjusting tool underneath the bottom plate to pull it up.

#3 5 years ago

ZAC

zacaj

RPC

Rochester, NY

11y 158K 10,387 85 122 1

Depending on the layout, technically all you need to do is desolder the legs, and then pull it out the top. But usually it's hard to access the legs with a soldering iron while the bracket is installed, so you need to remove that. While it's out you might as well rebuild the mech. Once you desolder the legs, clean the solder off and straighten them then pull the socket out through the top.

#4 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

Schwinn

Not familiar with a switch adjusting tool. Do you know a source for purchase

#5 5 years ago

MDS

schwism

Pinside+ Frequent

Edmond, OK

5y 56,150 336 31

From Marco Specialties:
SWITCH ADJUSTER TOOL 5-1/8 INCH
#77-SWK-B

#6 5 years ago

ZAC

zacaj

RPC

Rochester, NY

11y 158K 10,387 85 122 1

A switch adjuster is a must-have for any pinball owners, though I've never had much success bending the pop bumper sockets with them

#7 5 years ago

MFS

goldenboy232

Pinside member

Alamo Heights, TX

9y 79,300 1,816 4 15

I’ve had that issue with the bottom plate being too low on a socket and have bent it up using a dental pick. Buy a set at Harbor Freght or on amazon. Also a great set of tools for EM restoration, working with springs, etc.

And separately, the switch adjuster took is a must-have for EM repair (maybe not for the light socket issue though).

#8 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

I have a switch adjuster but didn’t know what it’s called. Sorry!!

I had tried it but the bent part was too long. Will try a smaller model.

Thanks

#9 5 years ago

MDS

schwism

Pinside+ Frequent

Edmond, OK

5y 56,150 336 31

The dental pick will work as well. A set is fairly cheap and they are useful in working on machines.

While you have to carefully negotiate the switch adjuster into place I have been able to do it on my mid 60s Gottlieb machines.

#10 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

Thinking out of the box.

Is it possible to attach a conductive “spacer” to either the bulb or the bottom of the socket to make contact?

Have some old light socket brackets which will transfer electricity.

#11 5 years ago

ZAC

zacaj

RPC

Rochester, NY

11y 158K 10,387 85 122 1

Technically you could probably plop a blob of solder on the bottom to make it thicker and better conducting, but I don't really think it's worth trying to 'hack' it

#12 5 years ago

FRB

frb

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 57,150 412

I have a small, long and thin needle nose plyer that does the trick. It also puts springs in tight spaces such as drop targets. It holds wires while I solder them. It was worth the investment.

#13 5 years ago

MAO

MikeO

Pinside member

Overland Park, KS

11y 88,400 3,625 41

I've had luck pulling the bottom tab back up using two paint can openers. The hook on the side is small enough to get around but large enough to clip. You may need one on each side.

paint can opener (resized).jpg

#14 5 years ago

MAO

MikeO

Pinside member

Overland Park, KS

11y 88,400 3,625 41

There are pluses and minuses with each approach.

To really clean up a pop bumper you should desolder the lamp and pull the complete mechanism apart and clean and polish everything. You can replace the mylar trim ring under the pop bumper skirt also making everything look as good as possible.

p.s. - I'm not looking to open up debate about dry versus adhesive pop bumper mylar. I'm a Gottlieb guy and like to keep them the way the factory did it.

#15 5 years ago

???

Stoomer

Inactive member

Binghamton, NY

8y 29,650 308

Fuse-pullers are also good for this application...

#16 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

I took most of your suggestions, cleaned and tightened up the socket. I did notice that when I pressed down on the socket, it gave a little.

So, I went under the playfield and noticed the pop bumper bracket screws were loose AND the solder joint between one of the socket leads and the wire were separated and barely touching. I expect due to the additional vibration on the popup with the bracket screws being loose.

Tightened up the screws and resoldered the joint and she's working like a champ.

Thanks for your help..

#17 5 years ago

FTP

fixintoplay

Pinside member

11y 63,050 655

Glad you got it working. Please mark as "solved"

#18 5 years ago

???

classic-chevyguy

Pinside+ Frequent

West Barnstable, MA

5y 27,900 33 1

How do I mark as Solved

#19 5 years ago

MFS

goldenboy232

Pinside member

Alamo Heights, TX

9y 79,300 1,816 4 15

OP
Quoted from classic-chevyguy:
How do I mark as Solved

Check mark top of thread

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