Bally

A Brand Spanning Several Technical Eras

Anyone looking for Bally replacement parts should first determine which era the pinball machine in question comes from. Bally was active in the coin-operated entertainment industry for a very long time. During this period, not only did the design and gameplay concepts change, but so did the entire technical architecture of the machines.

Early Bally pinball machines operated purely mechanically or electromechanically. Relays, stepper mechanisms, contact stacks, motors, and mechanical counters performed functions that were later controlled by microprocessors and software in newer machines. For these machines, repairs are often closely tied to the cleaning, adjustment, and overhaul of old electrical contacts and mechanical control systems.

The electronic era began at Bally in the late 1970s. Digital displays replaced the mechanical score counters, and a central MPU board took over control of the game functions. Together with separate driver, lamp, sound, and power supply boards, this created a modular electronics system that remains very well documented to this day and is generally repairable.

After Williams acquired Bally/Midway in 1988, additional pinball machines were released under the Bally name. Technically, however, these machines were increasingly based on the same platforms as Williams pinball machines. In the 1990s, for example, Bally and Williams both used the WPC platform. For this reason, many replacement parts for this era are now sold under the designation Williams/Bally.

The brand name on the backglass or cabinet alone is therefore not sufficient to reliably select a replacement part. A Bally Eight Ball Deluxe requires completely different electronics than a Bally The Addams Family, even though both bear the same brand name.

Repairing and Preserving Bally Pinball Machines for the Long Term

Many Bally pinball machines are now several decades old. Nevertheless, with proper maintenance, they can continue to function reliably. The robust basic construction and the good supply of replacement parts make it possible to keep both electromechanical and electronic machines in playing condition for the long term.

Regular play puts a pinball machine under various types of stress. The steel ball strikes targets, bumpers, metal guides, plastic parts, and ramps at high speed. Flipper arms, kickers, and ejectors perform numerous powerful movements during a game. At the same time, lamps, coils, switches, connectors, and electronic components are subjected to electrical stress.

Many defects do not occur suddenly. They develop due to wear, contamination, aging, or loose connections. A flipper finger can weaken over time because the plunger, coil sleeve, or stop are worn out. An old blade contact may respond unreliably if it is dirty or misaligned. A connector that has been under load for decades can overheat due to increasing contact resistance and eventually become damaged.

Regular inspection is therefore just as important as the actual repair. If worn parts are replaced in a timely manner, major consequential damage can often be prevented. For example, a stiff coil mechanism not only puts a strain on the coil but can also place unnecessary stress on driver transistors and fuses.

With vintage machines, moreover, not every fault should be resolved by completely replacing entire assemblies. Many original Bally components are repairable. At the same time, modern replacement circuit boards can be a sensible option if an original part has been severely damaged by corrosion, overheating, or previous improper repairs.

Replacement Parts for Electromechanical Bally Pinball Machines

Before the introduction of electronic control systems, Bally manufactured numerous electromechanical pinball machines. These machines are often referred to as EM pinball machines. Their gameplay functions are implemented using relays, solenoids, stepper mechanisms, counters, contact stacks, and motor-driven sequence controllers.

In an electromechanical Bally pinball machine, malfunctions can have a wide variety of causes. Oxidized contacts, resin-encrusted mechanisms, broken springs, worn coil sleeves, or incorrectly adjusted contact blades can prevent a game from starting, cause points to be scored incorrectly, or result in a feature on the playfield failing to function.

Repairing such machines requires a good understanding of mechanical processes. For example, a seemingly defective relay may fail to engage simply because an upstream contact is not closing. A game sequence may stall if a stepper motor is blocked by old dirt or hardened lubricant.

Important components for maintenance include coils, coil sleeves, springs, contact plates, lamp sockets, rubber rings, pinball balls, fuses, switch parts, and various mechanical components. Not every historical component is still available as an exact reproduction. However, many standardized wear parts can still be replaced or professionally overhauled.

Caution is required when working on contacts. Coarse sandpaper can damage the coating on sensitive contacts. Depending on the type of contact, different cleaning and adjustment procedures are required. Indiscriminate lubrication of old mechanisms is also problematic. Oil attracts dust and can lead to additional stiffness over time.

Before performing any work, the machine must be completely disconnected from the power supply. Electromechanical pinball machines contain live electrical components and numerous moving parts. Repairs should be carried out using the schematic diagram and not solely by trial and error.

The Transition to the Electronic Bally Generation

The electronic Bally pinball machines of the late 1970s and early 1980s are among the most popular classics today. They combine the direct feel of older machines with digital scoring, electronic sounds, and more complex gameplay.

Among the best-known titles from this era are Evel Knievel, Eight Ball, Mata Hari, Playboy, Kiss, Lost World, Star Trek, Harlem Globetrotters on Tour, Paragon, Future Spa, Xenon, Flash Gordon, Eight Ball Deluxe, Centaur, Fathom, Medusa, Elektra, Embryon, and Vector.

Many of these machines are based on a similar basic architecture. The control system is distributed across multiple circuit boards. An MPU handles the central game logic. Other modules control solenoids, lamps, displays, and sound. This distribution facilitates systematic troubleshooting but requires that the correct circuit board variant be identified.

The Bally MPU boards AS-2518-17 and AS-2518-35 are particularly well-known. Although both appear similar externally and can sometimes be covered by modern replacement solutions, differences in ROM configuration, jumpers, and machine compatibility must not be ignored.

In addition to the MPU, there are various rectifier, solenoid driver, lamp, sound, and display boards, depending on the device generation. Later Bally devices sometimes combined functions that were still housed on separate boards in early models.

When ordering replacement parts, therefore, you should specify more than just the pinball title and year of manufacture. The printed board designation, revision number, and any modifications are also relevant.

Bally AS-2518-17 and AS-2518-35

The AS-2518-17 and AS-2518-35 are among the best-known MPU boards in classic Bally electronics. They control numerous machines from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

A common problem with these boards is corrosion around the originally installed battery. Leaking batteries can corrode circuit traces, components, sockets, and connectors. The damage may initially be limited to a small area, but it spreads over time.

An old battery should therefore be inspected and, if necessary, removed or replaced with a suitable external or modern power storage solution. If corrosion is already present, simply wiping away the visible deposits from the surface is not sufficient. The affected area must be properly examined and repaired.

Other typical sources of failure include aged IC sockets, broken circuit traces, defective reset circuits, damaged RAM chips, and poor connector contacts. The initial diagnosis for many Bally MPUs is performed via a characteristic flashing sequence of the diagnostic LED. How far this sequence progresses can provide clues as to the affected area.

An MPU that fails to start does not necessarily mean that the entire board is unusable. Many types of damage can be repaired. However, if corrosion is advanced or the board has already been improperly worked on multiple times, a modern replacement MPU can be a reliable alternative.

Replacement boards must be compatible with the device and the required software configuration. Even if a replacement board supports multiple Bally systems, ROM settings, jumpers, or device configurations must be set correctly.

Check the Rectifier and Power Supply

A stable power supply is the foundation for the reliable operation of any electronic Bally pinball machine. In older machines, rectifiers, fuse holders, connectors, and transformer terminals are often located on separate assemblies.

Aging, heat, and high currents can lead to poor contacts. Discolored connectors, melted housings, brittle cables, or oxidized pin headers are warning signs. A loose high-current connection can become very hot and damage other components.

When repairing an overheated connector, one should not only examine the plastic housing and individual contacts. The pin header on the circuit board may also be oxidized or thermally damaged. If this part remains unchanged, the contact resistance may increase again.

Old fuse holders lose their clamping force over time. A fuse may then appear intact on the outside but no longer make a secure contact. Incorrect fuse ratings are also problematic. A higher-amp fuse does not provide better protection for the circuit; rather, it can cause severe damage in the event of a fault.

Voltages should only be tested using suitable measuring instruments and with sufficient technical expertise. Dangerous voltages can occur in power supply units and display power supplies.

Solenoid Driver and Coil Control

In classic Bally pinball machines, the solenoid driver board controls coils and other high-power components. These include, among others, bumpers, kickers, ejectors, and certain relays.

A defect in the driver stage can cause a solenoid to fail to engage or to remain continuously energized. A solenoid that is continuously energized can become very hot within a short time and burn out. Therefore, a pinball machine should be turned off immediately if there is unusual humming, smoke, or a strong odor.

Not every solenoid fault is caused by the driver board. A broken winding, a faulty connection wire, an incorrect diode, a broken cable, or a jammed mechanical part can also impair function.

Before replacing a driver transistor, the connected solenoid should therefore be checked. If only the transistor is replaced while the solenoid or its diode is causing a short circuit, the new component may fail again immediately.

In many Bally machines, the solenoid driver board also handles parts of the voltage regulation. Aged power components, poor ground connections, and thermally stressed connectors can therefore also cause startup problems or unstable operating voltages.

Lighting Boards and Lighting Faults

The lighting system in classic Bally pinball machines consists of general illumination and controlled lamps. General illumination provides continuous background lighting, while controlled lamps are turned on and off by the electronics to indicate game states and targets.

If only a single lamp fails, the cause is often the bulb, the socket, a cable, or a local contact issue. If multiple controlled lamps fail, the connectors, driver components, or the lamp circuit board may be affected.

Old lamp sockets are often oxidized or worn out. In such cases, a new bulb may fail to make a secure contact even if the bulb itself is intact. Careful cleaning or replacing the socket can restore functionality.

When converting to LED lighting, only LEDs specifically designed for pinball machines should be used. The electronic lamp control system in older Bally machines differs from modern lighting technology. Inappropriate LEDs may flicker, glow dimly, or behave unusually when dimmed or pulsed.

The light color significantly influences the character of a historic Bally pinball machine. Warm-white LEDs can approximate the effect of classic incandescent bulbs, while cool-white or colored LEDs highlight individual inserts more strongly. A complete retrofit should complement the artwork and the desired original effect.

Bally Displays and High-Voltage Power Supply

Classic-generation electronic Bally pinball machines often use six-digit or seven-digit gas-discharge displays. These displays require a comparatively high operating voltage.

A dark or dim display is not necessarily completely defective. The high-voltage power supply, plug contacts, resistors, transistors, and solder joints can also be the cause.

If the same segment or digit is missing on multiple displays, this often indicates a shared control circuit or plug connection rather than multiple displays failing simultaneously. If only a single display fails, its power supply and control circuit should be checked separately.

Modern replacement displays can be a practical alternative to old gas-discharge displays. Depending on the model, they consume less energy and place less strain on the high-voltage power supply. However, they should be visually and electrically compatible with the respective Bally system.

Work on the display power supply requires special caution. Components may still carry residual voltage even after being turned off. Repairs should only be performed by individuals with appropriate electrical engineering knowledge.

Sound Boards from Various Bally Generations

Bally’s sound technology evolved through several stages. Early electronic devices produced simple tones, while later systems enabled more complex sounds, speech, and characteristic sound effects.

Over time, various sound boards were used, including simple Tone Boards, Sounds-Plus systems, Vocalizer solutions, Squawk & Talk, and Cheap Squeak. These boards are not interchangeable.

A Bally pinball machine with no sound can have various causes. In addition to the sound board itself, the speaker, power supply, connectors, volume control, and the signal line from the MPU could be at fault.

If the sound is distorted or buzzing, you should not immediately replace all ICs. Aged capacitors, poor ground connections, a damaged speaker, or an unstable power supply voltage can cause similar symptoms.

The exact board designation is crucial for selecting replacement parts and performing repairs. Even within a single game model, different boards may have been installed due to previous modifications or repairs.

Mechanical Replacement Parts for Classic Bally Pinball Machines

Even in electronically controlled Bally machines, the actual gameplay is generated by numerous mechanical assemblies. Coils move flipper fingers, bumpers, kickers, drop targets, saucers, and ball ejectors.

These mechanical components wear out due to repeated movements. Coil sleeves can become deformed or contaminated. Plungers can become worn at the ends. Springs lose their tension. Joints and bushings develop play.

A thorough overhaul can often restore the machine to its original performance. The entire assembly should be examined during this process. Simply installing a stronger coil is not a suitable solution for a mechanism that is stiff or worn out.

Coils are selected based on their printed designation. Coils that look similar on the outside may have different windings and performance ratings. An incorrect coil can lead to poor performance, overheating, or damage to plastic parts and mechanical components.

Coil sleeves and plungers should operate in a dry and clean environment. Lubricant inside the coil traps dust and increases friction over time. If a mechanism is not operating smoothly, the worn or deformed parts must be identified and replaced.

Drop Targets and Target Banks

Drop targets are a characteristic feature of many classic Bally pinball machines. Individual targets or entire target banks are struck by the ball, lowered, and later reset by a solenoid.

Over time, target heads can break, guides can wear out, springs can fatigue, or reset mechanisms can become stiff. Incorrectly adjusted switches can also prevent a lowered target from being detected.

During repair, check whether only the visible target is damaged or if the entire mechanism has worn out. A new target will not function reliably if the guide, spring, or reset plunger continues to jam.

Game-specific targets may differ in color, labeling, and shape. Neutral replacement targets may fulfill the mechanical function but do not visually match the original. For restoration-oriented repairs, matching printed or licensed reproductions are therefore particularly desirable.

After reassembly, the target bank should operate smoothly and without wobbling. Individual targets must not be so stiff that the reset coil is subjected to excessive, sustained strain.

Flipper Fingers and Flipper Mechanisms

The flipper fingers play a key role in determining how direct and controlled a Bally pinball machine plays. Weak, sluggish, or worn-out flippers alter the entire playing experience.

Possible causes include worn plungers, deformed coil sleeves, damaged links, worn-out cranks, weak return springs, dirty mechanisms, or incorrectly adjusted limit switches.

On older Bally pinball machines, flipper assemblies vary depending on the year of manufacture and system. Before ordering a complete rebuild kit, you should check which mechanism is actually installed. Left and right assemblies may also require different parts.

After the overhaul, the flipper finger must be positioned correctly on the shaft. An incorrect angle alters ball control and can cause the finger to strike the playfield or adjacent parts.

Screw connections must be secure but must not damage sensitive components. After assembly, the mechanism should be tested by hand with the machine turned off. It must move freely and reliably return to its starting position.

Rubber Rings and the Typical Play Feel

Rubber rings are among the most important wear parts in a Bally pinball machine. They cushion ball impacts, protect components, and influence the ball’s bounce behavior.

As they age, rubber rings become hard, cracked, or porous. This causes the pinball machine to lose its liveliness. The ball rebounds in a less controlled manner, and adjacent plastic or metal parts are subjected to greater stress.

When replacing them, the correct size should be used. A ring that is too small is under high tension and can put strain on posts or plastic parts. A ring that is too large sits loosely and alters the ball’s path.

The choice of material also affects gameplay. Classic rubber rings provide different bounce characteristics than modern silicone or polyurethane rings. Someone who wants to preserve a historic Bally pinball machine as true to the original as possible may have different priorities than a player who prefers a particularly fast or low-maintenance setup.

After installing a complete set of rubber rings, you should check that all ball paths are clear and that the ring sizes match those specified in the manual or the intended configuration.

Check the balls regularly

The pinball affects nearly every area of the playfield. A damaged, corroded, or rough ball can severely wear down the playfield finish, ramps, plastics, and metal guides.

Old balls should be cleaned regularly and inspected for scratches, rust spots, or dull surfaces. Deep damage cannot always be completely removed by polishing. In this case, replacement is the better solution.

The correct ball size is crucial. Only steel balls suitable for pinball machines and in the specified dimensions should be used. Different sizes can interfere with ball chutes, ejectors, and other mechanical components.

For machines with magnets, there may be specific requirements regarding the ball material. Therefore, the specifications of the respective machine and the spare part description should be followed.

Switches, Reed Contacts, and Switch Matrix

Bally pinball machines use different types of switches depending on the era. Electromechanical machines primarily use reed contacts and contact stacks. Electronic machines supplement these with a switch matrix and various mechanical switch designs.

A switch may be electrically intact but still fail to trigger reliably if its mechanical actuation is misaligned. Conversely, a contact that moves correctly may fail electrically due to oxidation, a broken wire, or a defective diode.

For blade contacts, proper spacing is crucial. The contact blades must not be bent unnecessarily. The contact surfaces must also be cleaned appropriately for the specific application.

Faults in a switch matrix can affect several seemingly unrelated switches. If an entire row or column is malfunctioning, you should not replace every single switch. Connector sockets, diodes, cables, and the associated driver electronics must be systematically checked.

Device manuals often include switch lists and matrix diagrams. These facilitate identification and help pinpoint common fault paths.

Bally and Stern—Similar, but Not Identical

When discussing replacement parts for classic electronic Bally pinball machines, the name Stern is often mentioned as well. The Bally and Stern systems of that era share technical similarities. Certain circuit board designs, components, and repair procedures overlap.

However, this does not mean that every Bally part will automatically fit into a Stern pinball machine. Stern used its own MPU, sound, and driver variants, as well as, in some cases, different pin assignments and game configurations.

A modern replacement part may explicitly be designed to replace multiple Bally and Stern circuit boards. However, this compatibility must be specified in the product description. A mere visual similarity is not sufficient proof.

Particular care must be taken when examining ROMs, jumpers, connectors, and sound boards. Using an unsuitable component can cause malfunctions or damage.

The Later Connection Between Bally and Williams

After Williams acquired Bally/Midway, pinball machines continued to be released under the Bally brand. Technically, however, these machines were developed within the same corporate and development structure as Williams pinball machines.

As a result, many Bally and Williams machines from the late 1980s and 1990s share identical or similar electronic platforms. This is particularly evident in the WPC generation.

A Bally pinball machine from this era may use the same CPU, driver, sound, or display technologies as a comparable Williams pinball machine. Numerous standard mechanical parts were also used across brands.

Game-specific components, however, remain uniquely associated with a particular title. Ramps, plastic parts, figures, wiring harnesses, decals, and special mechanisms from a Bally pinball machine cannot be used in a Williams machine simply because both are based on the WPC platform.

For replacement parts from this era, the designation Williams/Bally makes practical sense. However, in the case of early electronic Bally machines, it should not lead to the assumption that modern WPC components are compatible.

Bally Pinball Machines of the WPC Generation

Some of the most famous pinball machines ever were released under the Bally brand in the 1990s. Titles from this era include, among others, The Addams Family, Doctor Who, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Twilight Zone, Judge Dredd, World Cup Soccer, Indianapolis 500, Theatre of Magic, Safe Cracker, Scared Stiff, Cirqus Voltaire, Attack from Mars, The Champion Pub, and Cactus Canyon.

Depending on their year of manufacture, these machines use different development stages of the WPC platform. These include early WPC variants, WPC-DCS, WPC-Security, and WPC-95.

The exact WPC generation influences the selection of CPU, power driver, sound, and display components. A part that is generally described as WPC-compatible does not necessarily fit every revision.

Standard mechanical parts, such as coil sleeves, pinball components, switches, and balls, on the other hand, can be used in multiple titles. Nevertheless, the original part number should be checked here as well.

WPC Bally pinball machines often feature elaborate custom mechanisms. Examples include “Thing” from *The Addams Family*, the Powerball and Gumball mechanisms in *Twilight Zone*, or the cannons in *Judge Dredd*. Such assemblies require game-specific replacement parts and careful adjustment.

The Addams Family and the Significance of the Bally Classics

The Addams Family is one of the most famous and successful pinball machines in history. The machine was released in 1992 under the Bally brand and combines an accessible gameplay structure with elaborate mechanisms, magnets, voice samples, and a highly recognizable theme.

Its widespread popularity means there continues to be a high demand for replacement parts. At the same time, many machines have been in intensive commercial use for decades. Consequently, the playfield, mechanics, plastics, ramps, magnets, and cabinet may show significant signs of wear.

Today, the supply includes both standard mechanical parts and game-specific reproductions. For artwork, plastic parts, and other protected designs, care should be taken to use appropriately licensed products.

The high collector’s value of a well-known title makes a traceable and reversible repair particularly important. Original parts should be preserved, even if modern replacement components are installed.

Ramps, Plastics, and Game-Specific Parts

Game-specific Bally replacement parts are often among the most labor-intensive components of a restoration. While standard parts can be produced for use across many machines, ramps, plastics, figures, and decals require their own molds, templates, or licenses.

Plastic ramps can yellow, crack, or break at screw attachment points over the years. Areas that are repeatedly struck by the ball or subjected to mechanical stress are particularly at risk.

Plastic parts can break due to ball impacts, incorrect screw tension, or aging. Transparent plastic protectors can stabilize vulnerable areas and better distribute the load. However, they are no substitute for a completely destroyed plastic part.

When reproducing parts, drill holes, bends, cutouts, and material thicknesses must match the machine. Even minor deviations can affect ball paths or adjacent mechanical components.

Printed parts and artwork should be labeled as original, licensed, or compatible. Licensed Williams/Bally reproduction parts can be identified by corresponding notices from the rights holder.

Repairing or Replacing Circuit Boards

Many original Bally circuit boards can be repaired. Replacing individual transistors, capacitors, rectifiers, resistors, sockets, connectors, or fuse holders is often more cost-effective and true to the original than a complete replacement.

Repair is particularly advisable if the circuit board is structurally well-preserved and has only clearly defined defects. However, in cases of severe battery corrosion, burned-out traces, or numerous previous modifications, a replica board may be more reliable.

Some modern replacement boards offer additional diagnostic functions or replace multiple historical revisions. Nevertheless, they must be configured correctly. The game ROM, jumpers, pin assignments, and supply voltage must all be correct.

Before replacing the circuit board, you should verify whether the fault is actually on the board. For example, a new driver board will not fix a short circuit in a coil. Similarly, a new MPU will not resolve a problem caused by an unstable power supply.

Electronics work should be performed by qualified professionals. An incorrect measurement or an accidental short circuit can damage rare components and other assemblies.

Original Parts, NOS, and Modern Replicas

Various terms are used for Bally replacement parts. Their meanings should be clear before placing an order.

An original part comes from the original production run or the historical spare parts inventory. If it is designated as NOS, it refers to unused, vintage stock. A NOS part may nevertheless exhibit age-related changes. Plastic can become brittle, rubber can harden, and an electronic capacitor can age, even though the part was never installed.

A licensed reproduction is manufactured with the permission of the respective rights holder. This is particularly relevant for artwork, decals, backglass, translites, and printed plastics.

Compatible replacement parts come from independent manufacturers and fulfill the technical function of the original. High-quality compatible products are common for standard mechanical parts, coil sleeves, connectors, switches, balls, and rubber components.

Modernized replacement solutions can replace old technology without exactly replicating it. Examples include LED displays, universal MPU replicas, or modern power supply boards.

Which option is suitable depends on the restoration goal. A collector’s pinball machine that is to remain as close to the original as possible has different requirements than a machine intended for regular and reliable play.

Using Bally Part Numbers Correctly

The original part number is one of the most reliable starting points for finding replacement parts. It can be found on circuit boards, coils, assemblies, or in the machine’s manual.

For Bally circuit boards, many designations begin with abbreviations such as AS-2518. The following digits identify the specific assembly or revision. These numbers should be copied in full.

Coils have their own designations that provide information about the winding and construction. A coil that looks identical may have a significantly different electrical configuration. The existing labeling should therefore be read as accurately as possible.

For game-specific parts, the full pinball game title is important in addition to the part number. Different versions or revisions may look similar but have different mounting holes or fasteners.

Clear photos of the component, its connections, and its installation position make identification easier. Dimensions can also be helpful, but should not replace an existing original part number.

Manuals and Schematics as a Basis for Repairs

For many Bally pinball machines, there are machine manuals, schematics, and spare parts catalogs. They contain information on fuses, coils, switches, lamps, circuit boards, and cable connections.

For early electronic machines, schematics help in understanding the individual circuit boards and power paths. Tables often show which driver transistor controls a specific coil or lamp.

For WPC machines, the manuals also include test menus, error codes, and detailed exploded views.

Documentation is particularly important if a machine has been modified over the years. Not all existing wiring is still in its original condition. Comparing it to the schematic can reveal improper modifications.

However, a manual is no substitute for professional qualifications. In particular, work on line voltage, high-voltage power supplies, and power electronics must not be performed solely on the basis of a diagram without the appropriate knowledge.

Common Mistakes When Ordering Replacement Parts

The biggest source of error is the assumption that all Bally pinball machines used similar technology. In fact, there are several completely different generations of technology between an electromechanical Bally machine, a classic AS-2518 system, and a Bally WPC pinball machine.

A circuit board should never be selected based solely on its shape. Connector positions, revisions, and component placement must also match.

For solenoids, the printed designation is crucial. A solenoid that is supposedly more powerful is not a suitable upgrade for a worn-out mechanism.

Rubber rings must be the correct size. Ramps and plastic parts must match the specific game title exactly. For LEDs, the socket, voltage, and electronic control are relevant.

The following information is helpful for making the right selection:

• the full name of the pinball machine,
• the year of manufacture,
• the technical system generation,
• the complete part number,
• the installation location,
• photos of the existing component,
• and details of any modifications already made.

The more precise this information is, the more reliably the appropriate Bally replacement part can be identified.

Cleaning and Regular Maintenance

A clean pinball machine not only plays better but also tends to wear out more slowly. Dust, rubber abrasion, and metal particles form a dark layer of grime on the playfield that spreads to the balls, mechanical parts, and plastic components.

The playfield should be maintained using a suitable pinball cleaner and soft cloths. Harsh solvents or abrasive materials can damage paint, prints, and plastics.

Special care is required for older Bally playfields. Depending on the year of manufacture, condition, and previous repairs, paint layers may be delicate or already peeling in places. A cleaning agent should first be tested on an inconspicuous area.

Balls, rubbers, and pinball mechanisms should be checked regularly. Rusted balls, hardened rubbers, and worn-out mechanisms impair gameplay and can cause further damage.

Circuit boards and connectors also warrant a visual inspection. Battery corrosion, discolored connectors, loose fuse holders, and damaged cables should be identified early on.

Properly Restoring a Bally Pinball Machine

A restoration should begin with a thorough assessment. This involves documenting the electronics, mechanics, playfield, cabinet, and any existing original parts.

Safety-related and electrical issues should be addressed first. These include the power cord, fuses, grounding, overheated connectors, and unstable power supplies.

Afterward, mechanical assemblies can be overhauled. Flippers, bumpers, kickers, drop targets, and ball ejectors must operate smoothly and be correctly adjusted.

Only once the pinball machine is functioning reliably from a technical standpoint should extensive cosmetic work be performed. Installing new plastics or ramps makes little sense as long as improperly adjusted mechanics could damage them again.

For collector’s items, any original parts that are removed should be labeled and stored. Even a damaged original assembly can be valuable later as a reference or for a professional restoration.

Whether a restoration is carried out as faithfully as possible to the original or with modern improvements depends on your personal goal. It is important to document changes thoroughly and to make them reversible whenever possible.

Buy Bally Replacement Parts at PU parts

Bally pinball machines represent different eras in pinball history. Technical developments range from electromechanical classics to early microprocessor-controlled machines and on to the elaborate WPC pinball machines of the 1990s—a range that must be taken into account when searching for replacement parts.

At PU parts, you’ll find a selection of Bally replacement parts for maintenance, repair, and restoration. These include, among other things, coils and coil components, pinball parts, switches, lamps, LEDs, rubber rings, balls, connectors, circuit boards, and other mechanical or electronic components.

For classic Bally machines with AS-2518 electronics, both individual repair parts and modern replacement circuit boards are available today. Electromechanical pinball machines can be maintained with matching coils, contacts, springs, and mechanical wear parts. For later Bally WPC machines, there are numerous shared Williams/Bally components as well as game-specific reproductions.

Before ordering, always check the full pinball title, year of manufacture, system generation, and existing part number. Distinguishing between the early Bally system and the later Williams/Bally WPC technology is particularly crucial.

Although Bally pinball machines are no longer produced in their original form, numerous machines are still in daily use. With the right replacement parts, regular maintenance, and professional repairs, these classics remain playable and preserve the distinctive character of one of the most important brands in pinball history.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bally Replacement Parts