So I added a set of these to my Houdini. First flipper was a bit of work. Second was simple. Reason was what I discover in the photo showing the underside of the flipper mounting plate. Guess what happens when you try to unscrew something held in by a locknut that you do not know is there. It busted. I could not get the thing out once I took out the flipper assembly and ultimately had to drill the stupid thing out. The locknut kept spinning, but would not come off and the bolt was frozen. Well, boo hoo me and that's not why I'm posting.
If you are installing these babies in a Houdini and perhaps other AP pins, I offer the following tips that should only augment the instructions that come with the flippers:
1. Plan on removing the entire flipped mech, plate and all. Really super simple. Just unplug the solenoid, loosen the clamp on the shaft and lift out the flipper. Unscrew the EOS switch assembly if one has been installed [an addition available from AP] and let it dangle there and then unscrew the plate. Boom - done.
2. I took the flipper assembly apart for a couple of reasons which will become clear. Take off the coil stop and take out the solenoid and crank assembly. It's just easier and takes just a second to put back together [take photos and there is a diagram on the AP site in the Houdini manual if all else fails]. This makes it easier to get at the bushing and you will need to caveman open the damn shaft clamp, so this affords a better opportunity to do that with all fingers intact.
3. First remove the locknuts on the underside of the plate holding the bushing. Then just unscrew the three bolts. I put in new. just do the reverse to install the new bushing.
4. Get a big screwdriver and hammer to pry open the shaft clamp on the crank assembly otherwise the new shaft simply will not fit. With it out of the solenoid and off the flipper assembly it's pretty simple to get it to split apart. I took off the Flipper Spring Retaining Bracket, The thick washer, the Locking Stud Bolt, and the locking nut. Once again very simple to get apart and together, just made the banging and splitting with the screwdriver nice and easy.
The rest is just following the included instructions after you put the flipper assembly back together. The second flipper took me about 30 minutes to remove, take apart/reassemble/modify with the new parts and put back in the game. Really simple if you are anticipating the dang locknuts on the back of the flipper plate. Sorry if these instructions are a bit verbose. Most of what I did is really instinctive if you have been doing this for a long time. It is really very simple.
I used that red clamp to grab on to the end of the shaft that stuck out of the clamp. It held it place and helped me adjust the vertical play that's described in the instructions.
Oh, and the game plays great with them installed. I'll have to adjust the power a bit, but I too am more regularly hitting shots. I had the new right flipper installed and compared it to the regular factory right flipper. Way tighter and more accurate.
Anyway, for all those millions of Houdini owners out there, I hope this helps.
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Fair Oaks, CA
