I removed the magnets from the back and let them hang, I can't remember exactly what else I had to do, but took pictures while tearing down, maybe they'll help:

https://picasaweb.google.com/109644016826076831238/20120523NoFear?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Pictures are in reverse date order so go to the end to see the beginning...

I removed the subway ramp and cleaned, but I bought the machine with all new ramps so I have several old ramps (not the jump ramp) if you end up needing one.

I've used Purple Power (search the forums) available at most hardware stores, auto supply stores, etc... (like $6-$10 a gallon) on plastic ramps/subway troughs and it works awesome. Spray on out of a bottle, wait a few minutes and wipe away. Rinse under cold water and you should sparkle with excitement at a very clean ramp/trough.

the magnets and the optos are holding in the ramp (a real pain in the azz) I just redone my NF it came out great I added some more GI lights in the PF where it was dark new ramps rubbers plastic set now I just need some cab decals good luck post some pics a long the way

my ramp looked the same way . your going have to pull the optos off to get the ramp off & back on then test and make sure they all are working its a real pain in the azz

NF_4.png

I went through hell trying to get the ramp off of mine. Like what's been said, if you can get your optos off, then you should be able to free the ramp. You have to slide it forward enough so the 'tongue' along the back ridge of the ramp can clear the groove cutout on the back wall. The holes in the ramp should give you the access to the opto mounting screws.

The problem with mine was that the left opto was mounted in a vertical direction on a 90-degree bracket and I couldn't get at the necessary screws to remove the opto or the bracket. It appears that a change was made in the mounting of the left opto sometime during the NF production run. If you're lucky, your left one is positioned just like the other two.

If it's is like mine was, you're probably in for a harder time. To finally got my ramp out, I had to unscrew the magnet brackets from the back wall and slide the magnets out with the ramp. And even then, it required WAY more flexing of the ramp than I would have preferred. (If you go this route, have the magnets all unplugged ahead of time.)

Here's an old thread where we discussed removing the ramp (it's midway down the page)
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/friday-teardown

For the record, when I re-assembled things I took a gamble and left out that cursed angle bracket - and mounted the left opto the same as the rest (horizontally). Now all the optos can be removed fairly easily. The alignment of the 'eye' ended up pretty much the same and I've seen no functionality issues.

Good luck.

the jump ramp is usually melted on the magnet area. my advice: buy a new ramp! just 100 dollars or more and it's worth it.
i tried to put metal bands.. i tried it all. but the way the ball moves with a new ramp makes it really worth it.
the ramp used to be sold out everywhere.. but not anymore so grab one hile you can

Remove the front optos. It's not too bad, and you don't want to screw anything up. If you do install a repro ramp, you will need to do this for sure, as these ramps are thicker. I'm actually surprised you were able to get it out without doing this.

While it's apart, either reflow or replace all the optos for the magnets. It's not easy to get there again, and now's the time. install the magnets and test the optos and magnets before installing the ramp. This area is one of the biggest pain in the asses in pinball to deal with after the fact.

As for the ramps, the only place left to get the set, and it's a must IMO, is MAD. Even James is out:

http://mad-amusements.com/product.php?id_product=55

The main ramp is always broken/melted over the magnets, there are usually cracks in the holes for the long main posts in the front of it, above the right ramp (usually the posts are broken in the threaded area as well, you may need to replace those), the right ramp may have the typical chip out of a side of the entrance, and the lower subway gets cracked from vibration.

Good luck. My cab was perfect, and the PF looks awesome with HP coloured LEDs in the spotlights.

Can't you take the backboard off the make your life easier? I think that's what I did. It was a long time ago. I do remember thinking I was going to break something when I was trying to get that ramp out.

if you do this you will turn the game into crap. trust me..

more ramps for sale:
http://www.bestofpinball.de/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/8427

save on leds cuzz that is just ornamental and put your money into gameplay. putting a new ramp completely changes the game. it's so worth it.

my no fear before a new ramp. look how hard it is for the ball to go up. and all 3 magnets are working here:

now watch my no fear after getting a new ramp. it's like having a new machine. watch the speed and how every shot goes up the ramp easy:

I didn't clean the ramps, just by chance the machine I bought included a set of new ramps, not yet installed. I have the old ramps in a pile in the basement. When I do clean ramps I use Mean Green and Novus 2. I haven't tried flame polishing ramps yet, not sure if that would help.

The magnets are essential. They propel the ball to the upper flipper at speed, They help propel a weak ramp shot that barely made it thru the one way gate to the upper flipper & there's situations in the game where the magnets stop the ball dead so it runs back down the left wire ramp to feed the left flipper (Snow challenge mode I think?)

Also be sure to grab a complete NF ramp protector kit as the inside corner of the jump ramp takes an absolute beating.

my ramp is probably TWICE as fast ...?

maybe the angle of my machine is less inclined?

you won't regret it

Guess we will never know... but you can be the first to try it without a cliffy

I put the 3 piece set on mine from http://www.littleshopofgames.com/ the new New & Improved ramps are much nicer then to old ones Curly has them in stock you will have some rivet work to do but no big deal

I don't recall reading this here but I'll mention it anyway. Make sure you have game ROM version 2.3a which is the latest. The older version and I believe it was prior to the 2.0 versions, didn't disable the magnets if the opto switch went bad or stuck on, so you'll end up with magnet burns on the ramp. So check your version and if need be get the the latest ROM.

i didn't know it was 75$ :s
and you are right.. protecting a 150$ ramp with 75$... don't know..
the new ramps are thicker i think. and with next gen materials.. maybe it will hold up? for that price i would risk it.
on mine i just took out the old from the old ramp and installed on the new

Yeah I remember thinking that the cost of the ramp protectors was steep too but purchased for my new ramp anyway.
I think that this protector is essential: http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=BAA&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RP-NF2

The others you could get away with not using

I like the translite colors look great

post a pic with the translate off I want to see how you did the lites

looking great!!
since you are having all this work, think on putting inside decals heehheheheh

i am so proud of them... lol :

no. the pf has a little margin to the walls of the cabinet. when you lift it it is not supposed to scratch the walls. if it didn't then all our machines would have completely damaged walls.
of course after you install sideboard decals you will have to be more careful from then on