Enhanced and Direct Replacement Flipper Return Frames for Williams / Bally Pinball Games

Over the years the flipper return frames, also known as flipper ball guides or even inlane guides, have become mushroomed and peened over where the frame meets the flipper bat. This wear causes the ball to hop over the flipper or get trapped between the base of the flipper and the frame.  For the past several years we've been relegated to scavenging frames from parted games in hopes they will be better than what we have. Failing that we ended up grinding and filing the frames which may make them look better but simply will not fix the ball hop issue. Put that file down, MacGyver! Thanks to the help of dedicated pinball fans- Jim Palson, Steve Turner, Andy Miner, Scott Saluga and Kristof Vandermeeren, I've been able to remake a few of the more common frames. Big thanks to Bob Langelius too for helping with drawings for the Funhouse frames, Matt Behrens for WW and JM Ratkos for CFTBL!

To start off I've made direct replacements for Williams part number A-8108-R, A-8108-L and B-8239-1. These fit many, many games from 1980 through the 90's. Be sure to check the pictures against your game or your manual and/or parts manual if you have them.   Click the pics to enlarge and make the captions readable.

    First lets look at the common wear areas on a flipper return frame. What should be a straight, smooth transition to the flipper has become a dip, the reverse of a speed bump if you will. This dip cause a ball to launch up and over the flipper instead of rolling smoothly down.

    Wear at the junction of frame and flipper bat on a Road Kings. This causes a ball trap and can be quite annoying.

THE REPLACEMENTS

        On the left are the direct replacements for the purist. On the right are my enhanced versions which match the shape and width of the B-8239 exactly.

        To the left is the direct replacement for B-8239-1 and my enhanced A-8108-R. The pic on the right shows the difference between the enhanced and original more clearly.

Below are pics of Steve's Firepower showing the fit of the new frames.
        Wonderful! This is the direct replacement set.

THE ENHANCED VERSION

    Here's my enhanced A-8108-R on Steve's Firepower. Note the precise, smooth line from guide to flipper. MUCH better than stock - ZERO ball hop!

    David's Cyclone        Steve Faith's Data East Time Machine. Yep! Data East!

        Andy's High Speed                Matt's Whirlwind!

           
Pictures above show all variations I'm making. Check back often as more will be added. 'm making some game specific sets now too like Funhouse, CFTBL and Whirlwind. In all cases check the part numbers against your games manual as the same types are used in many games across multiple generations.

Steve Turner created a nice guide showing how to install frames with attached spacers. Click HERE for his guide, thanks again Steve!

Get the ball rolling the way it was meant to be! The A-8108 series are $11 each side. The B series and game specific frames are $12 each side.  Prices do not include shipping. California residents please add 8.5% sales tax. Email me HERE to order a set for your game!
USPS First Class and Priority Mail shipping available and remember, I always combine shipping to save you money!