I had the same issue and just cut the pop ring. Took all of two minutes and will fix the problem of the ring rubbing against the guide. The integrity of the pop is in no way affected and the pop action is a lot better. I wouldn't hesitate if I was an owner.

Pic looks like shit but in the game it could pass as factory.

IMG_0686.JPG

What did you use to cut it?

I just looked at mine and though I only have about 30-40 games on it so far, I don't see it rubbing. I only post that because my game was made on Nov 23rd. Perhaps they fixed the clearance. It's still close, but I don't see the silver bits and it does not look like it's rubbing on that lane piece.

cutoff wheel on a dremel

You only have to remove two screws from the underside of the playfield, pull out ring and zip!
Really nothing to it.

I do appreciate someone not wanting to do this but it plays way better with the clearance.

Could you post a pic?

Take it out of the game for sure. I thought about bending it but didn't want to put pressure on the ring legs as the place that the threads start can be prone to breaking if flexed too much.

You cannot see the cut from the player's perspective.

There is some natural slop in the pop mech that may still make it rub. Worse case scenario if you sell the game is to toss in a new pop ring for $4.

PHUCK YEAH ! LMAO ..... Where is Alex ??

I don't know what the official JJP solution is, but this was my thought when I was shown the issue. It won't take much of a slight bend forward of the ball guide to keep things from rubbing. Shouldn't affect anything else.

I think from the factory, everything is fine, and there's enough clearance. Over time the weight of the assembly with the tree brings it forward a bit resulting in rubbing. They should trim the bumper ring at the factory like Taylor's picture shows to keep it from ever happening.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

You don't know? You really are a shitty stalker.

Be prepared to be attacked by Alex Levy for using a Dremel on a pinball machine!

Edit: missed the other posts. lol

LOL

Another one on my ignore list.

Aren't you going to give Taylor a bunch of crap for using a Dremel on a pinball machine to fix a factory defect like you have done with McCune??

A small upward bend to the pop would fix this.... Am I wrong? It seams like you would not notice such a slight bend.

RobT... Alex.... Are you guys done yet?

Hilarious.

I didn't even respond to him . Don't bring me in this.

Sorry man

Bending the pop slightly won't work? Why not?

I think given the shape of the ring and how thick the metal is, bending it might be difficult. I personally would take the route Taylor took...

Ok!!

Rob

Pretty simple fix, take off the ball guide, bend the legs just slightly, takes care of the problem.

I think they wanted the pop bumpers to have lots of action, they seem a little looser than normal ones to me, add to that the extra weight of the trees and you get the rubbing. Since this issue has been known for a awhile now, I suspect the factory has made the necessary adjustment and newer machines won't be affected, a little consolation for those still waiting for their games

Trimming pop rings have been done in the past without issue (Star Trek The Next Generation). I noticed the metal shavings on my WoZ, removed the pop ring (just 2 nuts), and trimmed the ring with a bench grinder. I actually had to trim two flat spots as there was also metal contact on the straight side of the ball guide. It was a 10 minute permanent fix.

Terry

I would mark the area with a Sharpie marker...

(before removing it and heading to the grinder or Dremel tool)

Is taking a Dremel to the game considered "dialing it in"?

....just wondering so I know what to ask all the sellers that have been popping up lately. It's no wonder why.

Yes it is. Your not new to the hobby so why the surprise?

Would it be better if JJP sent out precut pop rings for people to install? How many of the titles that you own needed changes to protect the integrity of the game? Added mylar or upgraded switches or protectors for what now seems like an obvious design flaw.

Pop rings are items that need to be replaced on a regular basis anyway. They threaded part breaks off the leg, or the ring itself wears through and bends.

If JJP won't send one out to everyone, just buy one on your next PBL order, grind or file it, and then install it.

Keep the original one for next time.

I just had a look at mine. Not only is the bottom one contacting the ball guide, but the top position one is contacting the witch housing bracket tab. Great.

I trimmed mine with a dremel,.. Took about 5 minutes and completely fixed the issue.

Ps. Take the time after you trim the ring with a cut off wheel to round and smooth the edges.

Go thorough the history of pinball and all kinds of games have issues like this. Not making excuses but it happens.

I suspect that something changed in the pop bumper design somewhere along the way, probably a minor alteration in a spec, and unfortunately, caused an unforeseen problem. These kind of things happen in manufacturing sometimes, not an excuse, just a reality. JJP will learn from a mistake like this, and get better.

By now, though, wouldn't you expect manufacturers to achieve more? CAD, experience, etc.....

Frankly it seems like the inherent slop in the mech could be what is causing the mech to ring to rub the ball guide.

Mine isn't making contact, but thanks for the heads up. I'll keep an eye out for it.

So glad I found this thread as I didn't even notice it happening but as soon as I checked sure enough it was rubbing, ran a damp paper towel across the pf and sure enough little shinny specs.

Easy fix though, just marked it with a sharpie, removed the two screws, and took the dremel to it. Didn't take much and is not noticeable unless staring right at it and you know that its been done.

Anyone expecting perfection from the manufacturers of these machines should really consider getting out of the hobby. There are simply too many moving parts and complex electronics for things to be designed and executed perfectly.

Even with the budget/time/expertise, some NASA team missed the fact that the O-Rings in the shuttle were going to have issues when it was cold.

The good news is this issue is easy to fix and we can move on.

But....constructive feedback to JJP as well as some patience while they work through their first machine would help all. Overall, I feel they are the best out there right now. But that is just my opinion.

No, they just ignored that fact and were told not to launch at those temperatures buy the manufacture of the rocket boosters .

Along these lines, did you hear about Beyounce using sampling audio from the space shuttle Challenger disaster?

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/beyonce-slammed-sampling-shuttle-tragedy-album/story?id=21365376

Skip to 1:15 in the video

More complicated than that. Also, the engineering failure wasn't NASA: the solid rocket boosters were provided on spec by a contractor, which firm suffered from engineering problems due to management leaning on the engineers. They were aware that the O-rings suffered from problems for many flights before the challenger disaster, but convinced themselves that it wasn't a big deal for no (technically) good reason.

We are talking about a pop ring in a pinball machine here folks...

I keep tellin' them it ain't rocket science.

Something like this for $5.50 although I do not know if that is an exact match:

http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BM-4754