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Stern Flipper End Stop Premature Failures

Parallax Digital

Parallax Digital

Registered
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
143
Location
Cramlington
All - have posted this in case it helps some people out - if it needs moving to another section of the forums then let me know or mods may do it

Just been looking into an issue with a couple of Stern tables (007 and Turtles) both Pro models and both in operation for about 90 days - average play rate so not hard hit

Found quite a bit of gold coloured metal flakes/dust on the cash box on one side initially, then after further investigation on both sides and some on the upper sides of metalwork on the lower playfield area.

Bit more digging ad the end stop shaft on the flippers is loose on all of them - the shaft is capped with a different material (much softer than the shaft and the bracket) that looks as though it has undergone some sort of riveting/weld process so that it stays in place on the bracket, but the quality of the joint is quite poor and the metal holding it in place is in a very thin layer, which is why it failed so quickly

Will check other machines in case this can be identified as a batch issue

Just a heads up in case you see it, then you know where to look - will be looking to get these replaced, and will let EC/Stern know (of course I know what the outcome of that will be ......)

Cheers

Jeff20230808_152535.jpg
 
They've all been doing this for years unfortunately... Changing the coil stops (and balls) is pretty much the first thing to do to any new Stern game these days.
 
Apologies for re-posting it guys - these were the first of the operations machines that went out - there's an issue of not fit for purpose here then

What do you all use to replace them - same again or another source - I will have to change these

Jeff
 
Just had a chat to Phil and he has some also, so will get some ordered now and keep some spares - they are really cr@p - not what I would expect from something of this price
 
We were just discussing this last night.

All aboard for the Godzilla Hype Train!

@Kelsbells - Great to see they are all finally fitted. Looks great. I’m liking those speaker lights - 👍 Did you go with pop bumper lights and the back breath from @stumblor too? Joining you with the mods - Those pinballs @Gonzo recommended are working well, give a nice reflection as they move...
www.pinballinfo.com
 
retroarcadespecialists.co.uk

Flipper Coil Stop For Stern/Sega

Flipper Coil Stop For Stern/Sega Used in all Stern games and most Sega games; some Batman Forever (1995) and all the games that followed. Stern/Sega reference #515-6308-01.
retroarcadespecialists.co.uk retroarcadespecialists.co.uk

We also have stock of these if anyone needs some
 
kevlar said:
Think of poor Mando owners, the cheese dust from the upper playfield ends up on the playfield below.
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Really don’t understand why they don’t update the code to stop these flippers going when the ball isn’t up there. It would be an easy fix to stop totally unnecessary wear.
 
steve brum said:
NEW IN BOX STERN:
new balls
new end stops
super band flippers

really before you plunge the first ball
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All these little things are putting me of a NIB stern, I still keep looking though. I often have people over and can play pinball for hours. Should flipper coil cooling fans be added to this list also ?
 
RetroHeed said:
All these little things are putting me of a NIB stern, I still keep looking though. I often have people over and can play pinball for hours. Should flipper coil cooling fans be added to this list also ?
Click to expand...
Only certain machines I'd say, I have them on GZ and AIQ and definitely felt they needed them but haven't felt the need on Foo yet.
 
RetroHeed said:
All these little things are putting me of a NIB stern, I still keep looking though. I often have people over and can play pinball for hours. Should flipper coil cooling fans be added to this list also ?
Click to expand...


The whole thing is getting a bit ridiculous mate. On Foo Fighters I have to put a rubber glove on to take the glass off because it's too tight (seriously). Add in the end stops, crap balls and brittle plastics which need replacing. The coils are cheap too, it's almost a case of Stern saving on every washer and screw and it's become ridiculous.

They are fully aware of the glass, end stop and ball issues too . . . . at the very top level of the company. Yet they choose to continue using sub-standard materials.

They are cocksure that their treasured customers will repair NIB games and replace any faulty parts. It's really saying something when the rip-off copy parts are of higher quality than the official Stern stuff. It's incredibly frustrating because I really like that Foo Fighters game now . . . . but honestly, the build quality is like my girlfriend trying to make an IKEA flatpack.

Next to that Scooby Doo it's actually a bit embarrassing. I really hope Stern up their game, because they do design decent shots and addictive games most of the time.
 
Scott-UK said:
Venom incomming also and that’s looking a fast game so fans may be needed
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I haven't really noticed any issues watching the streams from the shows, although one of them looked to be struggling to make the left ramp with a backhand. These Pins would have been being played all day though no doubt so in a home environment wouldn't be getting continually hammered as much.
 
Certainly seems to be the case now along with the more stripped down pro's more than ever. I have been reading a lot on pinside lately and plenty of people saying exactly the same as you.

Makes matter way worse considering they know all these issues and continue to use the cheapest materials and parts in games as you say.

I have been watching and reading lots on Bond Pro and love the theme and retro look, not sure if I could stomach buying a NIB though with all the above as you have said. I think buying a used recent Stern may be the best way to go, in the hope that someone else has tinkered and sorted out all the issues initially.

Do you know or is it obvious what year they had really started to strip down the pros more, and when the they started to use the cheap plastics etc etc ?

Its good you have the Scooby to visually compare the quality between a Stern and a Spooky and compare parts etc.
 
RetroHeed said:
Certainly seems to be the case now along with the more stripped down pro's more than ever. I have been reading a lot on pinside lately and plenty of people saying exactly the same as you.

Makes matter way worse considering they know all these issues and continue to use the cheapest materials and parts in games as you say.

I have been watching and reading lots on Bond Pro and love the theme and retro look, not sure if I could stomach buying a NIB though with all the above as you have said. I think buying a used recent Stern may be the best way to go, in the hope that someone else has tinkered and sorted out all the issues initially.

Do you know or is it obvious what year they had really started to strip down the pros more, and when the they started to use the cheap plastics etc etc ?

Its good you have the Scooby to visually compare the quality between a Stern and a Spooky and compare parts etc.
Click to expand...


In all honesty mate I don't know. I've not really been in the hobby long enough to say with any real authority. I'd be interested to hear what @steve brum thinks.

I've had a Soprano's and X-Men here recently and the build quality is significantly better. The same is true for the materials which are of a far higher quality. Both of those games are built like tanks. The newer games rattle a lot more . . . . rickety for want of a better word.

I've been lucky enough to have Cactus, Scooby and Toy Story here and the build quality and finish is better. They're heavy, serious bits of kit.

That being said, the Stern games are the most reliable on site apparently (obviously once the glitches have been sorted out).
 
Gonzo said:
In all honesty mate I don't know. I've not really been in the hobby long enough to say with any real authority. I'd be interested to hear what @steve brum thinks.

I've had a Soprano's and X-Men here recently and the build quality is significantly better. The same is true for the materials which are of a far higher quality. Both of those games are built like tanks. The newer games rattle a lot more . . . . rickety for want of a better word.

I've been lucky enough to have Cactus, Scooby and Toy Story here and the build quality and finish is better. They're heavy, serious bits of kit.

That being said, the Stern games are the most reliable on site apparently (obviously once the glitches have been sorted out).
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Have to agree with the on-site reliability from my limited experience - Have only had one service call for a stuck ball and the other issue was Nayax related with a bunch of Stern Spike II games on site

J
 
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