Clean That Sticky Pinball Shooter Rod

Clean Up the Pinball Shooter Rod

One common complaint about a game is that the shooter rod does not shoot smoothly.   Fixing that problem is usually about an easy 15 minute job.

Supplies Needed

• 91% (or higher) isopropyl alcohol.
• A thin cloth rag.
• Pliers. Or needle nosed pliers.
• New rubber shooter tip.  We prefer white since black ones add dirt to the playfield.
• A parts container.  Any plastic or metal tub works for this, to keep parts from rolling away.  A magnetic holder would be nice.

Optional or Nice To Have On Hand.

• New plastic ball shooter sleeve.  Only need to replace if yours is damaged.  But at less than $1, many prefer to replace rather than clean.
• Shooter springs.  Generally only need replacement if broken. 
• Shooter barrel spring.  These get broken more often, but only have to be replaced if they do.
• Ball shooter (plunger) rod.   These get bent.  Size and type vary by game.  You will know if you need one only after starting this procedure.  Generally order if it is a problem.
• Ball shooter plunger (rod) e-clip 3/8“.  I always keep a spare few on hand in case this going flying into space.
• Shooter Assembly Flat Washer.  Also easy to lose.  It will not work right without it.

Lubrication is rarely used on pinball machines, and then sparingly.  Usually it is restricted to metal to metal contact.   Lubrication should not be used on shooter rods as it will gum it up.  Certainly no oil products should ever be used.  If you really want to, restrict it to dry lubricants such as Teflon.Court

Cleaning Procedure

Make sure the pinball machine is turned off.  Unplugging it is a good safe option as sometimes bare wall voltage wires are accessible inside.

Open up the playfield and remove the playfield glass.  Remove the pinballs.  Tilt up the playfield to get it out of the way.  We find it easier for most playfields to be tilted all the way back against the backglass.  Most games have a notch on the inside wooden railing to prevent the playfield from sliding.  If your game does not, it must be secured so it does not fall on you.  We use either pressure clamps on the side – plastic ones so as not to mar the cabinet, or bungee cords at the top to keep it upright.  

Note: If you playfield falls during this procedure, it can seriously harm you, much less damage your machine.

[Note: Click on images for a larger photo.]

1)  Remove the shooter tip and discard it (since you have a new one).  If it is an exceptionally old tip, it might not want to come off.  You will need to remove almost all of the rubber so that the washers and springs can be removed, and can pull the shooter rod out. 

2) Using your pliers, pull out the retaining ring.  Be sure not to lose this.  Place it in your parts container.  Do not let the spring push anything else off the shooter rod.

3) At each end of the spring will be a small washer.  These are easily lost if the spring is pulled off.  Locate the outer washer and remove it from the rod.  Place this washer into your parts container.

4) Remove the shooter spring.  Be careful not to lose the small washer at the other end.  Sometimes this washer will come off with the spring, but usually it will remain in place.  Place the spring in your parts container.

5) Locate in inside washer.  Pull out the shooter rod – so the end is in the middle of the cabinet sleeve –  while holding your hand inside the cabinet and below the rod.  This washer should fall out into your hand.  Place this washer into your parts container.  

6)There maybe a third washer on the outside of the cabinet.  Put your hand under the shooter rod on the outside of the cabinet and pull the rod all the way out.  That third washer may fall out into your hand.  If it remains in the cabinet, remove the washer so it is not lost.

Note: Be certain not to lose these two (or three) washers.  The shooter will not work correctly without them.

7) Remove the outer, smaller coarse spring from the shooter rod and place into the parts container.

8) Take a fine cloth and lightly cover it with 91% isopropyl alcohol.  Higher percent is fine, it is just more expensive and unnecessary.   Wipe the shooter rod until it is completely clean.

9) In most cases, the shooter sleeve is not damaged and only has to be cleaned.  Dampen the cloth with 91% isopropyl alcohol and work the cloth through the shooter hole.  The cloth must go all the way through.  Turn the cloth as working it through the hole.

Alternately, replace the shooter sleeve.

If you insist on using a lubricant, apply a small amount of dry lubricant such as Teflon to the shooter rod at this point.  But you are better off using no lubricant at all. Never use oil.  

10) Place the coarse short spring back onto the shooter rod.  Then insert it back into the game.  Try moving the rod back and forth.  Assuming you cleaned everything thoroughly, the rod should move smoothly.   If it does not, the rod may be bent.  This happens because people insist on picking up cabinets using the shooter rod.  Even a small bend will hang up the rod.  If this has happened, the shooter rod must be replaced.

11) Push the rod all the way in.  Insert the small washer, the shooter spring, the second small washer and then reinstall the retaining clip.

Test and insure that the shooter rod moves smoothly.

12) Put the new rubber shooter tip on the shooter rod.  All done.

Lower the playfield, insuring that the playfield does not hit the shooter rod.  You might have to pull back on the rod while lower the playfield.  Replace the pinball(s), the playfield glass and the lockbar.  Lock the coin door and enjoy!

Comments

Comments, including suggestions, improvements, errors, etc. are welcome (see below).

If you have a specific question about your game that does not directly apply to this page, please see our FAQ section.