Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane

[AxleMunshine]

I was wondering if it is normal or if some tweaking is required.


Sometimes, when hitting the ball through the left outer lane (left Joust lane), the ball will hit the left popper weldment (mechanism that sends the ball out of the moat) and the ball won't of course go through the lane. This may happen maybe 1 time out of 5. It seems it may depend on the angle/speed the ball enters the lane.


Is this normal? I've played the original Medieval Madness a lot in the past and I think it didn't used to happen as much. But, with so many MMr games under my belt, I'm now unsure if it something typical.


I've checked in dept and I doubt the left popper assembly could be re-positioned enough to make a difference. When it happens, the ball hits the left side of the weldment. I suspect whatever the tweaks, it can always happen if you get a weird rebound, but otherwise, I thought a somewhat clean entry in the lane should divert the ball correctly to make the ramp without interference. It may be due the the positioning of the metal guides in the lane or be totally normal.


Any thoughts?

[Rarehero]

Happens on mine too.  I talked to Sean at CGC and sent him pictures as well...this was a month ago and I haven't heard back.  The balls are getting plenty dinged up from hitting the VUK weldment...and it's a bummer when you make a nice clean shot and it hits that thing.

[Pablito]

Is it happening 1 in 5 times for you too RH? Can the left metal guide on the outside of the left joust lane be bent ever so slightly to allow for more clearance near that VUK area?

[ghetoprobe]

Same issue here.  About 1 out of 5 shots gets stopped.  Visible damage on the balls.

[Pablito]

Rick, can you comment on this and whether CGC is aware that the VUK on the left side of the moat could possibly be installed too far to the left causing balls to hit the weldment? I'm wondering if this may be another issue where the pre drilled holes in the playfield may be off slightly (like in the case of the slingshots that were hitting the playfield on the early games). That left orbit shot should be going through smoothly and if there are a few MMR owners who are experiencing the same issue, I sure hope someone at CGC is aware of it and making the necessary changes. Dinged up balls from this issue could really do a lot of damage to the playfield over time I imagine. Not to mention leading to frustrating game play.

[Cam]

Rick, can you comment on this and whether CGC is aware that the VUK on the left side of the moat could possibly be installed too far to the left causing balls to hit the weldment? I'm wondering if this may be another issue where the pre drilled holes in the playfield may be off slightly (like in the case of the slingshots that were hitting the playfield on the early games). That left orbit shot should be going through smoothly and if there are a few MMR owners who are experiencing the same issue, I sure hope someone at CGC is aware of it and making the necessary changes. Dinged up balls from this issue could really do a lot of damage to the playfield over time I imagine. Not to mention leading to frustrating game play.

I echo this sentiment... Analysis should be performed right away.  Due to the relative infrequency I fear some may chalk this up to normal behaviour...
Thx

[Pablito]

Ghetoprobe, did you raise a ticket with CGC yet?  I would try to get it resolved because dinged up balls moving around that playfield can do some real damage to it over time.

[ghetoprobe]

Ghetoprobe, did you raise a ticket with CGC yet?  I would try to get it resolved because dinged up balls moving around that playfield can do some real damage to it over time.

I haven't put much time on an original MM so I just assumed this was a characteristic of the game.  It is frustrating when you nail the shot and it just stalls and dribbles back down to the flippers.  Haven't opened a ticket yet, still trying to get the slingshot damage worked out with my first ticket.


I saw your thread over on Pinside - I'm going to take a closer look at the steel lane guide (per Llyod) and see if I can possibly bend it in to prevent this from happening.  I'll update everyone with my findings this weekend.

[Pablito]

Yeah, glad to know it is probably just a typical pinball tweak needed and less of a situation that requires moving the VUK housing. Do the tweak to the metal guide and change those balls if they are dinged up.

[PPS]

Yes, CGC is aware of the question and thus far: a) an original MM shows similar ball hits on the weldment, so it is not limited to MMR and b) An initial check of placement of the popper shows they are in the same position. CGC will check with a more accurate measure to see if things are off by a small amount.


Rick

[Cam]

Appreciate the prompt follow up Rick... Look forward to the final verdict if any minor adjustment is required.
Thx

[Metal Man]

Is it stopping the ball from going around the loop or just nicking it as it goes by?  I don't have mine yet so I'm curious.

[ghetoprobe]

Is it stopping the ball from going around the loop or just nicking it as it goes by?  I don't have mine yet so I'm curious.

On mine it completely stops the ball.  It ricochets back and forth between the VUK weldment and the outer lane guide, then drops back down to the flippers.

[AxleMunshine]

Is it stopping the ball from going around the loop or just nicking it as it goes by?  I don't have mine yet so I'm curious.

It stops the ball when it hits it. In my case, it doesn't hit the weldment all the time. Maybe 1 or 2 times our of 5 the ball gets blocked.

[gliebig]

Same issue with mine.  Doesn't look like there is much adjustment to be done with the eject mech.  Has anyone figured out a fix?