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GOTTLIEB DROP TARGET UNIT REPAIRS

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ddstoys:
No sure if this is classed as a rebuild as usually they just need a good clean but here goes.

If you just want to get them going read the below info if you want to pull them apart and clean them up properly skip to the next Post.

Drop targets are simply plastic targets that are knocked down when the ball pushes the plastic lip of the edge of the frame causing it to be pulled into the unit with the help of a few springs. And then reset with a large coil that activates and pushes the targets up with a large metal arm.     

If your trying to fix a drop target issue check that each target has a spring attached to the top of the steel guitar looking piece and a spring from the bottom of the guitar looking piece to the bottom of the cabinet if these are missing its a good chance thats your problem.

So if your target are?

NOT RESETTING.   This can be a few things  the easiest to check is Manually activate the coil do this with the machine off as some of these coils are activated by 110v push the coil plunger all the way in if the targets are close to latching on Try adjusting the coil position.  To do this there are a few screws on the back of the coil loosen theses and slide the coil down very slightly tighten the screws and try again. Repeat if needed.
        If the coil is as far away as it goes then take a look at the guitar shaped piecessometimes these can be worn were the arm hits them if this is the case you will need to pull the unit apart so skip to the next post.

NOT DROPPING AT ALL.   This can be caused by the unit being to close to the rubber check the gap between the target and the rubber while watching the between the rubber and target and push it in slowly by hand if it hits the rubber before the lip falls off the frame lift the playfield loosen the 4 screws holding the unit on and move the whole unit a little further from the rubbers.  If this doesnt fix it the unit will need to be removed so skip to the next post

NOT DROPPING ALL THE WAY.  This is usually caused by dirty targets and to fix this it should be removed and cleaned but on the off chance that the spring has lost its tension this can be remedied until new springs can be added by removing the lower spring that pulls the guitar down and stretching it so that one or two coils slides over the frame to add more downward tension then hold this in place with a small screw but this is not advised

ddstoys:
Right lets pull this bad boy apart for cleaning these are not simple so if you are unsure please take photos so you have a reference to what goes where.  There may be an easier way but this is how i do em.

First make sure you have a nice flat area to lay all your parts on trust me this does help.

Also some units allow the targets to be removed without dismantling the whole thing so ill start with that method for the Noobs
and its upto you if you leave the unit hanging by the wires or you desolder it.

STEP 1. First remove the coil with the screws on the back once there undone the coil will slide of the plunger allowing it to hang
             to save desoldering it.  Unsolder all the switch wires marking them so you know where they go (They will usually just sit
             roughly where they belong)  Remove the 4 screws holding the unit in place it should now be off.

ddstoys:
If your units has the cut outs to remove the plastic targets this post is enough to get the unit cleaned and lubed which is great. For those who don't be patient there will be more to come.

STEP 2.  Undo the 4 screws holding the plate on the side of the unit with the Drop Targets two of these will also hold the
              mounting bracket for the unit.

STEP 3.  Undo the upper spring that attached to the guitar looking thing and the Drop Target there is no need to remove it from
              the target just the guitar to do this use pointy nose pliers or a flat screwdriver but be careful not to stretch them or
              loose them.    Remove these by holding the spring with your fingers and use your tool of choice to get the spring loop
              from over the metal lug.  Now simply remove the Target

STEP 4  Now take a toothbrush with metho and remove as much grease and crud from all metal components

STEP 5  Now place a small drop of machine oil on any moving metal to metal  parts

STEP 6  Carefully clean the targets with metho except the picture area i try cleaning this dry first then water then windex
             until it comes clean but be careful not to stuff the picture

STEP 7 Re install by reversing the procedure above

Extra Ball:
thanks for this, on DaC I have 3 targets that are hard to knock down. All the targets are new, but those areas you show seem dirty. One thing though........the 3 three effected targets are much harder to raise manually compared to the rest. Any ideas why this may be? other than dirt/grime? I have ruled-out the rubbers coming into play.

ddstoys:
I would say if they are hard to drop and hard to raise it would be the grime unless some springs have been replaced with stronger ones? Give it a clean and see how you go

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