Flight 2000
Stern Electronics, 1980New to repairing - please dumb it down for me as much as possible 
Flight 2000. Noticed this plastic piece (?) is broken. Flipper still works fine. Should I replace just the cracked part? Is this what I need? https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/A-197
20211116_070959 (resized).jpg
As usual Marcos prices are much higher than other sources. $75 at Marcos, same rebuild kit $55 at pinball life. https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers.html
Quoted from SJ23:Noticed this plastic piece (?) is broken. Flipper still works fine. Should I replace just the cracked part?
With the flipper link broken there's no way that flipper works fine.
The part in the link is ok, get 2 and do both sides at once.
Quoted from bluespin:As usual Marcos prices are much higher than other sources.
He doesn't need the whole thing.... $3.95 each to get quantity of 2 and rebuild both sides.
Quoted from slochar:With the flipper link broken there's no way that flipper works fine.
The part in the link is ok, get 2 and do both sides at once.He doesn't need the whole thing.... $3.95 each to get quantity of 2 and rebuild both sides.
Actually it does work fine. I was surprised to see it was broken at all. I opened the machine to compare the flipper assembly to a different machine's & noticed the broken piece. That spring must've caught the plastic perfectly bc I hadn't noticed any difference when playing it. Crazy!
Thanks for the advice, I was hoping to not spend $55+. I think I'll try the $4 route first and see how it goes.
Quoted from SJ23:Actually it does work fine.
Just because the parts seem to move, doesn't mean it's actually working correctly.
Those flipper mechs really need to be rebuilt. It's obvious that the plunger is old and worn out, which may even have caused the problem since the travel distance changes as the parts get worn out.
Quoted from ForceFlow:Just because the parts seem to move, doesn't mean it's actually working correctly.
Those flipper mechs really need to be rebuilt. It's obvious that the plunger is old and worn out, which may even have caused the problem since the travel distance changes as the parts get worn out.
By "rebuilt", do you mean I should buy this: https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers.html and replace all these parts?
Quoted from SJ23:By "rebuilt", do you mean I should buy this: https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers.html and replace all these parts?
Yes you can do that.
Or you can just buy new links/plungers.
Or new links and chamfer the plungers to fix the mushrooming.
Few diffrent ways to go.
Of course that kit doesn't include the flipper bushings which you will also need. And I think you have a few bally/sterns so time to start buying big numbers to have them on hand
Quoted from TheLaw:Yes you can do that.
Or you can just buy new links/plungers.
Or new links and chamfer the plungers to fix the mushrooming.
Few diffrent ways to go.
Of course that kit doesn't include the flipper bushings which you will also need. And I think you have a few bally/sterns so time to start buying big numbers to have them on hand
This? https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-nylon-flipper-bushing.html
There is no way your EOS (end of stroke) switch could open.
I suggest you pull apart the flipper assemblies and check the coil stops also.
all the moving parts are dirty when they should be clean, and the non moving coil sleeve.
remember those parts are 40 years old.
it's not a difficult job, if you get stuck jump back on Pinside.
that one kit mentioned above in post #8 (https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers.html) will do both flippers and a wise choice, imo.
If money wasn't an issue you could buy new assemblies, ideally peace of mind for another 40 years:
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/B-195-L-1
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/B-195-R-1
Quoted from Rikoshay:If money wasn't an issue you could buy new assemblies, ideally peace of mind for another 40 years:
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/B-195-L-1
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/B-195-R-1
Marco's assemblies are $75 each and they are only $53 each at Pinball Life. Again, Marcos prices on many items, flipper rebuild kits, pop bumper caps and drop targets are much higher than Pinball Life and Pinball Resource.
https://www.pinballlife.com/full-flipper-assembly-for-classic-stern-machines-031980-to-021982.html
Quoted from bluespin:Marco's assemblies are $75 each and they are only $53 each at Pinball Life. Again, Marcos prices on many items, flipper rebuild kits, pop bumper caps and drop targets are much higher than Pinball Life and Pinball Resource.
https://www.pinballlife.com/full-flipper-assembly-for-classic-stern-machines-031980-to-021982.html
They the same ones? PBL ones had an issue with the flipper travel that you have bend a bracket they ever fix that?
Shipping is a factor in where I order from for sure Marco ends up being cheaper than PBL in a lot of cases for me. Probably should always use pbr as they would def be the cheapest.
Ordered 2 rebuild kits from pb life. Found my Big Game has a broken plunger link too. Is this a hobby or addiction? Started fixing my Meteor and a week later I have parts from 7 diff machines on order. If money wasn't an issue last week, it's going to be this week! Ha!
Thank you all for your help & encouragement. I'm officially addicted. Slightly overwhelmed but feel confident in the advice from these forums. Thanks!
Quoted from SJ23:By "rebuilt", do you mean I should buy this: https://www.pinballlife.com/classic-stern-flipper-rebuild-kit-left-and-right-flippers.html and replace all these parts?
Yes. Do this. Replace all those parts. Then you’ll won’t have to touch the flippers again.
Quoted from SJ23:Ordered 2 rebuild kits from pb life. Found my Big Game has a broken plunger link too. Is this a hobby or addiction? Started fixing my Meteor and a week later I have parts from 7 diff machines on order. If money wasn't an issue last week, it's going to be this week! Ha!
Thank you all for your help & encouragement. I'm officially addicted. Slightly overwhelmed but feel confident in the advice from these forums. Thanks!
Big Game eh? You’re going to fit in around here just fine. 
Rebuilt my 1st flipper & it works great! Soldered wires & everything 
Thank you all for your help.
Rebuilt the other side & the flipper sticks forward most of the time then slowly drops back or goes back down when ball hits it - it was doing this pre-rebuild. Rebuilt with pblife kit + bushings. Suggestions?
Quoted from SJ23:. Rebuilt with pblife kit + bushings.
Make sure you have a little up down play between the bat and the top of the bushing throughout its entire travel (not just at rest)
Quoted from LTG:Nylon bushing the flipper shaft rides in okay ? Flipper bat not catching on anything ?
LTG : )
New nylon bushing. Doesn't seem to be catching.
I took the flipper off, cleaned the pf & added a spacer under the bat, put it back together/on and it hasn't been sticking up. Yay!
The new problem is that it's stopping short (see pic) when coming back. From what I can see, the link is hitting the metal piece at the end and not allowing the plunger to go any further. What did I do wrong? I've been tinkering with it for an hour+ 
20211120_190335 (resized).jpg20211120_190424 (resized).jpgQuoted from LTG:Loosen set screws and adjust it again so at rest it's where it belongs.
LTG : )
Thanks! Turns out I was just a wuss with tightening 
Quoted from SJ23:Thanks! Turns out I was just a wuss with tightening
Super common when first starting. These can help, expecially in tight areas
https://www.amazon.com/Eklind-51610-T-Handle-Hex-Key/dp/B00QXFMBOE
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Stavanger
Johns Creek, GA
