The point where the skirt touches the spoon may have worn down the plastic, and as a result could be shorter than it should be.

Loosen the screws on the switch stack and try readjusting the position of the spoon so that the skirt hits the center.

That's the screws that hold the switch assembly to the playfield.

The stem of the skirt should rest dead center of the spoon. Loosen the above mentioned screws and position the assembly with the stem in the center of the spoon. A flashlight is useful here to create a stem shadow on the spoon plastic to help guide you to the center. Then press on the edge of the skirt and make sure it doesn't stick in any position of the clock.

Make sure everything is tightly secured.

Clean the contacts thoroughly.

Adjust the spoon switch for about 1/16" gap. I wouldn't replace the spoon unless the stem has worn a hole through it.

Better or worse?

I've never, ever had to replace a spoon unless it was broken. Two things to look for:

1. Dirt or gunk buildup inside the spoon from someone lubing parts or just accumulation of dirt over time. Clean the inside of the spoon and the tip of the skirt point.

2. Make sure the skirt tip is centered in the spoon. If not, loosen the switch stack screws, into the playfield, and move slightly until it is centered. Then tighten the screws.

After that is done, clean the switch contact surfaces of any dirt and adjust the switches so there is about 1/16" gap between.

I once had to replace a spoon that had somehow heated up and bent down, only allowing the saucer to activate the switch in one direction. Wasn't apparent until removing the entire switch stack and looking at it. New one was easy to put back in!

Spoons DO wear out. Bally's from the 70's had a hole worn through the center most of the time as they were played the heck out of.

Agreed, I've replaced several on location for this exact problem. Eight Ball, Star Trek, Lost World, Paragon & Playboy were the ones I recall doing this on.

What would be useful is if the manufacturers would make the spoon of clear plastic. Then you could just eyeball it to center.

I just press the spoon onto the skirt stem. If the stem moves, adjust until pressing on the spoon produces no movement. Viola! Centered.

DE spoons are also different from W/BLY spoons as well, and are a little deeper. I have had games where the wrong spoons were in the game, and provided less action. (Capcom spoons were also not the same in terms of depth.)

On some games the pops only can get hit on a certain side, rather than the normal 360*.

These pops are VERY susceptible to a groove being worn into the spoon. This makes the switch unresponsive to hits from certain directions.

While we're on the subject, the skirts that Pinball Resource sells are like 1/16" longer than originals. This tiny bit of extra length on the stem allows it to hang on the top edge of the spoon. I've had to cut all the new ones I've used for a couple of years now. I snip off the nub, trim the sharp angles left from snipping, then hold it over a lighter for a couple of seconds to round it up and smooth it over.

Just FYI...