thanks

No, I have been in the "hobby" for 25 +years and currently own 25 pins.

I am not a young lad anymore but still do a lot of my own simple board repairs and maintenance on them.

I was just sort of "surprised" that the ball was hanging up there so often on a new pin but didn't take the time to really look at the issue before posting.

Also you would think Stern would have done a better job at securing that metal plate to the playfield in assembly.

Thanks for the response on how you "cured" the issue on your IM. I'll get to it myself when it annoys me enough which won't be long from now.

CuJo

The "setting" comment I made was not about the stuck ball up top on the metal plate.. It was about the game ending on the 3rd ball without it draining. As I was preparing to remove the glass to free the stuck ball, the game tallied up my final score as if the ball had drained and that game was over.

Agree 100% with you. It is not the greatest design from a longevity or maintenance point of view, it is a terrible weak point.

I tried to ignored it for 300 games but it was just ruining the experience so I took it off, cleaned and reinstalled with the tape I mentioned before. I have put a few hundred games since and has not budged.
In case you missed it in here, a few people tried mylar with little success and it gets really damaged quickly so you end up maintaining more.

That whole section in my opinion, should have been routed out to accept a metal insert directly attached to the PF with screws. That would have been perfection and likely 0 maintenance...

I scotch taped the edge of the loop protector down that keeps coming up since I don't have a replacement yet from Stern. Its on " back order" . That's not going to " ruin" anything is it?
Also Do you guys find the replacement worth it? I mean what's different about it from the initial installation at the factory?

Read your replies, and looked up this whole thread about it. A lot of info thanks. Im just wondering the difference in a replacement. What's the point?

I installed the Cliffy carbon fiber loop protector…works like a charm. No more hang ups.

How long have you been using it?

You are welcome. I think the metal piece Stern uses is a great alternative to Mylar. I can't speak about other replacements made by others.
I notice a HUGE improvement just by replacing the adhesive under the metal so it properly attaches to the PF. The 3M tape I used is commercial grade, bonding increases over time and it is easily removable with isopropyl alcohol.

Put a few hundred game since and it has not moved a bit.

I think the problem is not the actual metal piece but poor installation at the factory. The double sided tape the used is very cheap and adhesion is weak. During break-in it curls up and pull it off.

I am not a fan of taping it over, as you mentioned, as I do not think it will last either.

My approach has shown almost no changes in almost 250 games since the change. The metal piece does need a break in period though, it will slightly curl at the beginning.

I recommend the 3M tape I mentioned before. It is used in high end electronics and other environments. It is designed to be removed easily too. It is the right product for this application. Nikon uses it to hold the plastic grips attached to the cameras in their pro grade cameras (that is how I found it)

I recommend it

Thank you!

Has anyone installed Pin monks Anubis figure on a premium? Head keeps sticking in the space between the cabinet and back panel when the gate rises.
Before I revert to stock plastic would appreciate any direction on an adjustment/fix.

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It depends why it's hanging the ball. Is it bent or is it just the tape letting it lift? If it's the tape you can probably re-tape it yourself. If it's bent you might need the replacement. (it's thin metal though so you can probably bend it back yourself)

I'll say I got my machine second hand and it had 2500 games on it with no protector and there is no visible damage. I got the protector and put it on myself and it's lasted several hundred games so far with no issues. I think if you clean the area well and apply it with pressure all over it should stick pretty well. Who knows how stern preps the area or applies pressure to it, if they just slap it on that would explain why it's coming off so soon for some people.

I put Cliffy’s carbon fiber protector in about a month ago and it’s a definite improvement. The pin gets played daily and there has not been a single issue.

Ok,here is one I have not seen. IM with insider connected.

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It just came today,I have been waiting since June.

What happened to premium insider aprons having custom artwork etc? That's just a normal one with the right window changed

Yes mine works fine, check the back panel bracket screws mine were loose on delivery.

congrats, this game is a blast. I got mine recently too, previous run (Sept). At first I thought the game was easy and as usual, the more I play it the more I suck! I can't explain it! lol
Anyway, enjoy! it is a blast.

Quick update on my sound issue that was caused due to the Spike CPU board. Apparently there is an issue with the amplifier and it requires replacement. Unfortunately I am now going on 4 months of no CPU board to learn this - and the part is not available. I am faced with a "board swap" for over $300 or send it to Stern via RMA for who knows what.

This sucks. Period. I have a gigantic paper weight right now. Rolling the dice with Stern in hopes they can fix or replace the board. I'm being told it most likely will be 2022.

Sux. That is the reality of the new, unserviceable tech.

Are there places on the board you could solder in a wire to get the line level output prior to the bad amplifier? Feed that to a Parts Express amp and you're back in business.

Maybe I can solder on to the board? I'm no expert. I just want my machine up and running.

Unserviceable tech sucks. Period. I have a few Williams/Bally games. I can fix some things. For items I can't, Chris Hibler is there to assist and he has been awesome.

I'm pissed. I'm at the point where once I have my machine up and running it may be gone just because. I'm disgusted by the lack of supply to repair machines. I don't have a large stable of Stern machines where I can just take another board out and swap it in and be patient.

I don't mean to be an ass regarding this. Just extremely frustrated.

if you put your hands on it and make it worse, that is the end of the warranty for you. So you either fix it or do not bother. The components on the spike boards are tiny so it is not like soldering through board components on WPC, it is a bit different and requires the right equipment. It can be done, but I would not practice on it.
Take the board to somebody that can fix it? I would not attempt the repair if your equipment and experience are not on par. You will be out of warranty, and out $300+ for a new board.

Get your distro involved, get them to take a board form another game? while THEY wait for the repair?

I wish it were that easy.

I sent it in to a reputable repair guy who is frequently listed in these threads. He reports the amplifier parts are unavailable.

I've elected to go the RMA route with Stern. I figure if I go with them there should be some warranty associated with the replacement even though it will cost me out of pocket.

Not many decent options here. Hope the rest of you do not have to go through this. :/

I hope they look after you. Good luck.

I was surprised as well.It is ugly,and the plaque on the back box is hideous.I thought it would be a sticker I could remove.
Love the artwork on the game,now it has two black eyes.

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Check out the back panel magnetic cover from Wizard Mod. I will let them know about the new plaque, as they will have to adjust the sizing accordingly. Is this really needed for game play given you have a code reader at the front of the game?
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Got these for my Maiden and my GOTG , they look amazing! Takes maybe a full minute to put on.

Heh those are the two games I got for mine as well. Maiden especially looks awesome

Insider connected to the right on the back box is a sticker, you should be able to remove that.

This! Why are we paying for distributors if they're not doing shit?!?!

Hey, I see v1.09... not available from the Stern website yet? I wonder if there is anything besides IC added....

Deadpool is in the same boat.
1.08 exists but 1.05 it's all that available right now from Stern's website.

I expect there will be a whack of code drops on US Thanksgiving. That's next week right? They(Stern) dropped about 6 code updates last Thanksgiving.
Let us be thankful for these code updates we are about to receive

Do you have a link to the store for this? I thought it was wizardmod.com but the site seems broken

Very curious about the new code although I suspect it is only related to the code reader part only.

https://wizardmod.com/collections/wizpanels-speaker-panel-art/products/iron-maiden-pinball-magnetic-wizpanels

Thanks!

So are you saying that your metal is being replaced by Stern on the latest run of IM's?
None of the original IM's had this protector to my knowledge so I am assuming your IM is also from the latest run?

It's a sticker. And the mod is magnetic and will "stick" on top of it normally.
The qr code in the speaker panel is for you to sign up for the app. Which makes no sense on a home machine because you check in on the apron.
So just cover it with one of our mods or just remove the sticker.

I got mine on order

I just got mine for GZ and Aerosmith yesterday. I like them so much I ordered for my IM and EHOH also. It takes about 2 weeks to receive your order. They arrive in a mailer tube so they have a curl on them. Best to reverse curl and stick back in the tube for 10 minutes or so. Only tools needed are a Torx screw driver to remove and reinstall the ID plate.
They sell a neat magnetic apron cover too.

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Yes, but its on " back order" so no idea when im getting it. The build date on my IM was this AUG.

I am looking for a few iron maiden flyers. I would like to get two of the pro, and two of the premium. Does anyone here have a few extras they would be willing to part with? If you do, please PM me. Thanks. Mìke

They are usually available cheaply on ebay

Pinball Life has the pro flyer - may also have the premium one.

https://www.pinballlife.com/iron-maiden-pro-flyer.html

I'm getting mine delivered tomorrow. You want me to check something out on it?

This metal was added in the recent IM runs is the consensus, my August premium has it.

It looks great on that game. Really complements IM premium too.

Went with three new songs. Just need to adjust the volume and try to change the on screen icons.

New glass cover, a lot cheaper than the actual banner, around $15US.

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