A sad fix to a $7000 pinball game that has poor alignment?

This is an odd problem that I came across with a brand new pinball machine. Is there a better way to fix this? Why allow for the playfield to move around so much inside the cabinet and go out of alignment with the shooter rod?
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[@charlesrowland9955]

During manufacture, plunger assembly is installed prior to installation of the playfield. The plunger assembly is then supposed to be readjusted after playfield installation. I've found this to not be the case on the last four or five games I've gotten in. Assuming that you have leveled the game cabinet front and back, lift the playfield up, loosen slightly the three screws holding the plunger assembly to the cabinet. Lower the playfield and adjust the plunger position. You should not need the shim. While the playfield may have side to side play, it is centered and the side gaps allow lifting with minimal cabinet interior scratching.

[@PinballHelp]

As I mentioned in the video, I could not re-position the plunger to fix this problem. The playfield was that far out of alignment.

[@jamesgulrich7416]

I have a Godzilla pro that the glass is so tight it takes two people to pull the glass! When we got it there was gray powder on the edges of the glass. Later I realized it was graphite. They knew about it and still shipped it out!

[@paulguk]

Modern Stern cabinets (certainly on the ACDC era, but I can't say I've looked on more recent ones) already have shims mounted onto the inner sides of the cabinet to align the playfield. I'd probably have started looking there to see if they're missing, or need adjustment. Another thing to be aware of is that if the game is badly levelled it can cause the cabinet to be twisted slightly. In this case though I'm a bit suspicious of what adjustments have been made to the shooter rod - this seems incredibly bad!

[@Bunjamin27]

Vote with your wallet. If they're having quality control issues, stop buying their machines.. wait for prices to match quality.

[@MrDirkles]

For their 2024 quality they would need to knock 70% off and even then id have to think about it

[@johnread9289]

Hi PinballHelp Great Video again, thanks. I have the very same issue in my new Godzilla Pro. I cut a piece of wood to put in the whole under the lock bar. I aligned my game on the left side. It is already better now. Next step is to perfectly align the shooter rod.

[@interestingtimes182]

Crazy spend 8k plus and then you have to "put a piece of wood in it" to rig it to play correctly

[@garyvital2543]

New Godzilla Premium and the same issues. For a 10K pin you would think it shouldn't be a any problems. The wedge worked for me as well. Thanks

[@cigarsandpins4781]

I have this issue on my premium but not as bad as yours. I don't know why they removed those little tabs inside the cabinet that would center the playfield. How much could those things cost?

[@VaxxedStories]

Since there are two tabs and two slots you should be able to move the right hand tab medially so that the playfield will only seat if it is exactly where you want it.

[@thesteammachine1282]

Much appreciated ! It was very helpful mate 👍 Cheers

[@AbeFlips]

There are little metal pieces inside the cabinet on the left and right next to the playfield. You can bend those if you have too much play. They are there exactly for this purpose. Maybe make a video about those instead?

[@davidavanderburgh]

This ^^ . BUT... Stern has removed these on newer games!! You can buy them from Marco or Pinball Life maybe..

[@AbeFlips]

@@davidavanderburgh Wow Really? Would love to hear Geoge Gomez's opinion on this. My 2022 Godzilla has them still on 🤔

[@davidavanderburgh]

@@AbeFlips yes, my late 2022 Godzilla Premium does not have them :(

[@PinballHelp]

Interesting.. I will look into this.

[@mtlarsen1125]

I had this exact issue with my Rush

[@PridePinball]

For whatever reason Stern quit installing the playfield centering brackets in the cabinet.

[@pinballrestorations5205]

I noticed that as well. That is what is causing this issue for sure.

[@m.cerullo3473]

Agreed the playfield should have movement like that. Try using some double sided tape on that shim, but turn the shim 180 so the skinny side is up.

[@KentDiego]

My Godzilla has similar problem with plunge and I can never get ball to left spinner skill shot. I will chech for this issue right now.

[@KentDiego]

I did see that I could not get the play field far enough to right for shooter to be centered. There is room to tweek left-right but it stays firmly. I saw a much bigger problem with shooter hitting too high. Sometimes the shooter would hit the auto-plunge lever. I took shooter off cabinet and put a washer inside at bottom bolt hole. This tilted assembly down so hits ball in middle. I need to try more shimming to get it more to left. Working much better now.

[@Mechulus]

I have this problem and thought it was the shooter rod or a weak spring. I'll try your shim idea for mow, but I suspect QC is missing this on more than Rush. I have this issue on my AIQ, and suspect the same issue for my WoZ (not Stern's fault there!)

[@user82938]

That's interesting. Plunged balls on my Godzilla frequently rattle, but I've seen a lot of people report it, so I thought it was normal. I'll have to look at this.

[@kahnlives]

This is Sterns fault (I mean if it’s a new pin)). If I owned a pin that cost thousands you can bet you’re backside Stern would have to fix any and all kinks in my machine 😮

[@Riz2336]

This must be a newer Stern problem because I haven't seen this on the older machines

[@josephgiannini6174]

you dont have to use shims a better permanent fix would be to cut some 1 inch by 1 inch square plates for the latches and if you dont have wiring interference self tapping screws or you can drill and tap machine screws to make it more secure or you can use nylon and do the same if you dont want to use metal

[@tsan3796]

The priests of syrinx have bestowed their judgement on your table

[@daveg7878]

Couldn't you just tighten/align the playfield pivots? If they were aligned properly, there shouldn't be quite that much slop.

[@wizpin]

I miss the old machines, ok, gameplay not that deep, but at least they worked 😬 -most of the time-

[@psteady6726]

Experienced this on DP pro 😡

[@vintagechad77]

I have this same problem on our Guardians, just built Sept 2022.

[@michaeljkasnter]

My Rush playfield is a btch to lift, and secure down, warped possibly- mine has to be forced down

[@michaeljkasnter]

They have quility control

[@MrDirkles]

😂

[@BaZzZaa]

I’ve been fully restoring 4 of my games including the entire cabinets. I’ve seen this issue on some of the BW games. My suggestion is to re level the cabinet. The levellers really influence where the playfield sits and can even make it rub internally if they’re way off.

[@knobstone]

Stern will fix this issue when they have another price increase.

[@MrDirkles]

You'll never buy a more expensive plywood box with some stickers on and a collection of the cheapest electronic components money can buy.

[@Mo_Ketchups]

After reading all these comments, I’m not TOUCHING a new Stern game without seeing their warranty CLEARLY covering this kinda issue! And ta think I’ve had trepidation over buying a JJP pin! 👀😮‍💨🤦‍♂️

[@PinballHelp]

JJP's QC is significantly worse than Stern. Stern at least cares and will remedy things. JJP ships out games with known defects they don't notify owners of.

[@Mo_Ketchups]

@@PinballHelp Yeah, I saw an interview with “Jersey Jack” in Vegas … he came off like a realllll sleazy creep. Jewelry, shades indoor, big “hair system,” greeezy way about him. He’s a carny. Never buyin from him.

[@swainer8014]

1:38 That is a lot of flex/play. Yuck

[@imakeituptoyou]

Are you kidding me??? What a joke! They raise their prices and deliver crap. 🤬🤬🤬

[@alrui]

That's pretty crappy!

[@davidcarper5411]

Poorly built and qc was all