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Medieval Madness Remake (MMR) => MMR Support [MMR Members Only] => Topic started by: AxleMunshine on July 30, 2015, 11:18:01 AM

Title: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: AxleMunshine on July 30, 2015, 11:18:01 AM
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?



Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Rarehero on August 06, 2015, 04:41:41 PM
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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Pablito on August 07, 2015, 03:14:42 AM
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?
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: ghetoprobe on August 11, 2015, 03:06:58 PM
Same issue here.  About 1 out of 5 shots gets stopped.  Visible damage on the balls.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Pablito on August 11, 2015, 11:08:08 PM
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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Cam on August 11, 2015, 11:38:42 PM
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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

Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Pablito on August 12, 2015, 01:24:11 AM
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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: ghetoprobe on August 12, 2015, 05:21:54 PM
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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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Pablito on August 12, 2015, 07:16:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: PPS on August 12, 2015, 08:08:07 PM
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

Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Cam on August 12, 2015, 09:09:14 PM
Appreciate the prompt follow up Rick... Look forward to the final verdict if any minor adjustment is required.
Thx

Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Metal Man on August 13, 2015, 06:38:11 PM
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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: ghetoprobe on August 15, 2015, 06:16:33 AM
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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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: AxleMunshine on August 24, 2015, 10:45:36 AM
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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.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: gliebig on November 02, 2015, 09:15:15 AM
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?
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Pablito on November 02, 2015, 09:43:58 PM
Check out this thread.


https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/mmr-left-joust-shot

Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Lloyd Olson on November 02, 2015, 09:44:35 PM
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Has anyone figured out a fix?

I noticed on my game the stainless steel ball guide running from the left side, back around the castle, over to the right side. Was kind of flat along the left side. Balls would hit it and deflect over to the moat VUK. ( same as on my MM when it came out ) I gently bent that ball guide so it was a little curved, and end of problem.

LTG : )
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Metal Man on November 02, 2015, 10:34:16 PM
Nice. Now that's a repair I can get behind.
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: ScottM on November 04, 2015, 07:29:51 AM
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Has anyone figured out a fix?

Balls would hit it and deflect over to the moat VUK. ( same as on my MM when it came out ) I gently bent that ball guide so it was a little curved, and end of problem.

LTG : )

Lloyd, I have this issue (ball hitting VUK on left orbit) and can see the impact area on the VUK edge.  In fact, it happens frequently and is very easy to replicate manually.

I tried to gently bend the ball guide, but it seems pretty solid.  Should I remove the guide to adjust it?  I also read where someone removed material from the VUK edge.  Is this something to consider and if so, how much material should I remove?  Obviously I don't want to create a new problem.
Thanks, Scott
Title: Re: Ball hitting Left Popper from outer left lane
Post by: Lloyd Olson on November 04, 2015, 01:23:09 PM
I adjusted ( bent ) my lane guide in place. Big screw driver, big hammer. A little at a time, so you don't mark the stainless steel guide.

I have read of people grinding or cutting some of the VUK edge, it wouldn't take much. Maybe half an inch.

LTG : )