TECH: Twilight Zone TZ - Bridge wire actuator

[Tim Kuo]

The "Bridge wire actuator" (Item #8 in the "Bridge Diverter Assembly" on page 2-26 of the tech manual) on my TZ looks like the tippy-top wore off, or got sawn through by repeated actuations. The part that's inserted into the cage.

The Action Pinball site even says: "Common failure part that causes the bridge diverter to stop working" :-/

Does anyone have a way to keep that from happening in the future? To keep the thick wire from wearing through? Some way of padding it, maybe?

TIA!

[John Robertson]

Post by Tim Kuo
The "Bridge wire actuator" (Item #8 in the "Bridge Diverter Assembly" on page 2-26 of the tech manual) on my TZ looks like the tippy-top wore off, or got sawn through by repeated actuations. The part that's inserted into the cage.
The Action Pinball site even says: "Common failure part that causes the bridge diverter to stop working" :-/
Does anyone have a way to keep that from happening in the future? To keep the thick wire from wearing through? Some way of padding it, maybe?
TIA!

I would add a tiny drop of grease or oil at that junction. Not much you
can do other then make some sort of bushing and I doubt there is space
for that.

Similar problem with spinners - the rod wears the hole in the metal arch
over time. We (my shop and I) always add a drop of oil on metal-on-metal
moving parts. Greatly increases the lifespan of the part.

John :-#)#

[Lloyd Olson]

Post by John Robertson

Post by Tim Kuo
The "Bridge wire actuator" (Item #8 in the "Bridge Diverter Assembly" on page 2-26 of the tech manual) on my TZ looks like the tippy-top wore off, or got sawn through by repeated actuations. The part that's inserted into the cage.
The Action Pinball site even says: "Common failure part that causes the bridge diverter to stop working" :-/
Does anyone have a way to keep that from happening in the future? To keep the thick wire from wearing through? Some way of padding it, maybe?
TIA!

I would add a tiny drop of grease or oil at that junction. Not much you
can do other then make some sort of bushing and I doubt there is space
for that.
Similar problem with spinners - the rod wears the hole in the metal arch
over time. We (my shop and I) always add a drop of oil on metal-on-metal
moving parts. Greatly increases the lifespan of the part.
John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd.
#7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
[phone] (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

John is right. A tiny drop of grease makes things last longer, especially spinners. The TZ bridge diverter is stainless steel, the wire arm is steel. So the hole in the diverter will score the metal arm and eventually break it. I wouldn't worry about it though, in commercial use I haven't had to replace one in over ten years. The axle on a spinner in a dry hole will score the metal shaft and eventually a ball hit snaps it off. A dab of grease makes them last a long time. In the last 9 years I've only had one spinner break in commercial use.
LTG : )

[Tim Kuo]

Any recommendations for what type/kind of grease (or oil)?
OTOH, this is a roughly 30-year-old machine, so the next time I'll have to deal with this particular problem would be in 2053 or thereabouts :-)

[John Robertson]

Post by Tim Kuo
Any recommendations for what type/kind of grease (or oil)?
OTOH, this is a roughly 30-year-old machine, so the next time I'll have to deal with this particular problem would be in 2053 or thereabouts :-)

We use Zoom-Spout oil as it has the handy extension nozzle built-in. Or
3-in-1 Blue Top 20W Motor Oil.

Not WD-crap, or 3-in-1 Red/Black top as they are not designed as lubricants.

John :-#)#

[Lloyd Olson]

Post by John Robertson

Post by Tim Kuo
Any recommendations for what type/kind of grease (or oil)?
OTOH, this is a roughly 30-year-old machine, so the next time I'll have to deal with this particular problem would be in 2053 or thereabouts :-)

We use Zoom-Spout oil as it has the handy extension nozzle built-in. Or
3-in-1 Blue Top 20W Motor Oil.
Not WD-crap, or 3-in-1 Red/Black top as they are not designed as lubricants.
John :-#)#
--
(Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd.
#7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
[phone] (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

John is right. No WD40. That crap is like cancer, you'll never get it out of a pinball machine.

I use a grease made for the chain drive on garage door openers. Just a tiny dab. Stays put and doesn't hurt anything.
LTG : )

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by Tim Kuo
Any recommendations for what type/kind of grease (or oil)?
OTOH, this is a roughly 30-year-old machine, so the next time I'll have to deal with this particular problem would be in 2053 or thereabouts :-)

clock oil.