Bally 831-ZZM Slot w/ Stuck Handle

[musicalpets]

Hello Everyone,


I just got a Bally EM Slot Machine. The machine lights up but the handle is stuck in the down position. The woman I got it from said it worked great until her grandchild pulled the handle when the machine was unplugged and it never went back into the up position. I think it has been like this for a long time.


I am not completely new to this as I used to repair EM Pinball machines and once, about 10 years ago I restored a 1935 Mills Castle Front Slot Machine. However, This machine is just different enough that I feel I could use your expert advice in getting started. I know the mech should slide out for service just like my Mills Machine did but I am not sure which bolts to remove and how to disconnect the mech from the handle. Any advice or push in the right direction would be much appreciated.


Thank you,
Melissa

[DavidLee]

Welcome to the Bally EM form.

Attached photo has explanation that might release the handle back up.
The lever is located behind the handle mechanism, it should move down fairly easy about 1 inch.

With the machine off try this first to see if it helps.

Also stay clear of the handle when it returns back up.

Only other concern would be how the handle went down with the machine off.
Unless it was rigged to play without coins.   

[musicalpets]

Thank You so much, David! This is exactly what I needed. I am going to try it asap and I will post my results. I'm not sure how the handle moved without a quarter. That is a very good question. She said the child hung her whole body weight on the handle. Maybe she forced it? I'm not sure that is possible though. There are quarters in the hopper so we will have to see if it is on free play once the handle is un-stuck.


Thank you SO much for the help!
Melissa

[DavidLee]

Okay, considering a child’s weight. There is a pin I believe in the end of the handle shaft. It might of got sheared off.
If that is the case you might be able to push the handle back up.


Look inside the machine, the handle mechanism has a U shaped fork that rides over a
roller bushing, lower right of reel chassis. If the fork is facing to the front of the machine this would indicate the handle mechanism is at fault. To know for sure, release the hopper latches. The hopper should slide out of the machine. Meaning  if you can slide the hopper out,
the handle mechanism needs to be inspected.
Post a photo of the machine and a inside photo of the two half gears on the right lower side of the reel mechanism chassis.

[DavidLee]

Maybe this will help.
Correction, it’s not a pin exactly. A through bolt threads into the handle.
Part 43 threads into # 28. The fork is # 41

[DavidLee]

Maybe this will help.
Correction, it’s not a pin exactly. A through bolt threads into the handle.
Parts 43 and 28, also part 41 is the fork.

[Amechanic]

It will be impossible to tell what happened until we get inside the game.. It could have been coined up and the air cylinder was stuck, and now it's stuck in the down handle position.. If that's the case then the handle release lever will need to be held down while the handle is pulled back up... Then get the reel assembly out and service that sticky air cylinder..

[RiseLikeRa]

Music:


Me thinks that the old lady might speak with forked tongue.  I went and took a good look at my games after reading your post.  Unless the this the grandchild of Spiderman most hands, big or small, would simply slide off the ball at the end and slip down the arm to the hub.  Since the arm is closer to 90 degrees that 45 degrees when at rest.   If pulled in more of a forward motion then the game might have toppled forward and this discussion would be about the poor departed little Timmy,


That aside, Your have already received great advice about how to free the handle. Be careful not to force anything until you get and idea of what is holding up the works.  A slight rocking action along with a good flashlight might be helpful.  Send pictures.  We are like youth deprived children here.  We love pictures.


Best of luck and welcome to the best forum forum on NLG


Ra

[musicalpets]

Thank you so much, guys! It is certainly possible that the story of the grandchild might not be all together true. I really can't say for sure. I plan to work on this machine today and your help is SO greatly appreciated.


Thank you all again!
Melissa

[musicalpets]

Oh, and in regards to pictures. I have tried several times to upload a photo on here but it always tells me it is too large a photo, even when I have shrunk it down. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.


Thanks,
Melissa

[musicalpets]

Ok, Well I hit a road block right away. I can't slide the upper mechanism out because of the position of the handle. The arm is stuck tight. Should I remove the bolt in this picture and hope to free the arm?


Thank you,
Melissa

[musicalpets]

I Figured out my picture problem. I have already removed the hopper/bottom mechanism.


Here are some more pictures. You can see the angle of the arm here.


Thank you again guys.
Melissa

[DavidLee]

Try backing out the bolt just enough to slide the fork off.
This should allow the reel mechanism to slide out.
Its possible that the handle will finish its cycle.
The lever indicated in the drawing may need to be pushed down
to release the handle.
Use caution as there’s some pressure on these mechanisms.

[musicalpets]

We got it out! The handle released but did not finish a cycle. Everything seemed great until we tried to put the reel mech back in. The fork does not line up. I am assuming the gears are stuck in the wrong position. Any ideas?

[Amechanic]

I would assume that your air cylinder is stuck, and will need to be cleaned.. The air cylinder is the white or tan plastic tube right above those side gears.. Inside is, or was a rubber cup seal. Over the years they become a sticky tar like mess that does not allow the handle to move.. Remove the 4 phillip screws holding it in place, then the E-Clip from the metal linkage.. Once off you need to pull the piston and linkage from the cylinder. Now things get messy... You will need to clean the old tar like rubber off the piston and the inside of the cylinder.. I find that rubbing alcohol works or buy Acetone. Once cleaned apply a very very light coat of grease to the piston and inside of the cylinder and re assemble without a cup seal..  Be careful not to loose a spacer from the inside of the piston.. 

[DavidLee]

Check the trip lever bottom right of reel mechanism.
If the handle was not pulled all the way, the reels may be ready to kick off.
If the trip lever is free and pivots then the machine is gummed up Amechanic mentioned.
But if its still pushing on the trip arm, this indicates the reels mechanism is under load.

How did you finally get the reels out?

[musicalpets]

We were able to get the mech out by loosening the bolt and wiggling the fork back and forth. It was a bit of a struggle but it finally came loose. I tripped the lever so it is now loose. I think the cylinder is the problem. It looks dirty even from the outside. I am hoping that once we get it cleaned up, it will all move properly. You guys have been so wonderful! Thank you again!


I will let you know if we are successful.


Melissa

[DavidLee]

Okay great, the reels should spin now.
The piston is partly held in place with two spacers on either side of the wrist pin.
These spacers may fall out if the pin is removed. No big deal, you just don't want loose them. 
Note, every part on the cross shafts below the reels needs to rotate and move freely side to side.
Photo of what is behind the old grease.

[musicalpets]

Hi Everyone!


We were able to reinstall the cleaned parts today. The old grease is all gone and we lubricated it with a small amount of white lithium grease. It all moves freely. Unfortunately, we still don't have a working machine. The arm is no longer stuck down but it does not move when a quarter is inserted. When we release the lever manually, the arm moves fine and the machine runs correctly. The reels spin, slow down and click into place. Whatever is supposed to release the arm isn't doing it's job. Any Ideas?


I'm sorry for the slow posts but we are only able to work on it a few times a week. Also, it took quite a bit of force and fighting to get that piston out of the cylinder. Lots of old, nasty grease!!!


Thank you for the help, we are going to try some more work on it tomorrow and Tuesday this week.


Melissa

[DavidLee]

Okay, you want to listen for the coin relay to trip. You should be able to hear it trip by depressing the coin in switch. Simulating 1st coin in.
This closes a circuit back to the coin in switch. When the switch is released back up. This completes the circuit to the handle release coil,
tripping the handle release. This sequence may vary depending on the machine.
 
Sometimes the wire on the coin in switch gets bent and will not return all the way. This will keep the handle release from tripping.
If the coin relay releases, try cleaning the contacts and check for continuity. Test the machine, if it still doesn't work clean the contacts related to the handle release.