I need to get my new whitewater down into my basement, but since my stairs turn twice (it's a townhouse), it would probably be easier if I remove the head. I can figure out how to unplug the cables from the boards (and mark them down), but how do I unhook the bolts on the sides?

Thanks.

I found this:
http://www.flippers.be/basics/101-remove_pinball_head.html

Bolts on the side: Hexa from within the cabinet and that's it.

Would a typical ratchet set be able to do it?

no. Assuming you have the original bolts in there, you need an Hexagon key to unscrew it. If I remember, the insanity fall ramp might be in the way so you might have to lift the playfield to reach it.

I think I have a hex key set. So to unbolt the head, I'll need to lift the playfield to get at the bolt? That doesn't sound too hard.

Thanks for the help Mrhide!

Ok, so I've taken a second look at the wiring in the back panel, and it looks quite involved to remove. I can't tell which plugs connect to the playfield and which connect to other components in the back panel. Not only that, but the wires are secured to the walls in such a way that it'll be very difficult to remove. How do I know what to unplug?

Also, I've lifted up the playfield, and being a WPC, there's no support arm to keep the playfield up, but I can't figure out how make the playfield stay up. Do I need to always have a 2nd person hold it up? Also, it looks like from the one angle that I can see, that it might be easier to disconnect the back panel by unplugging the connection in the playfield area, as opposed to disconnecting at the head. Is this a good strategy?

I think it's time for Azatoth to come and explain to you how it does it since he does it every times he brings a new game.

yes it's a lot of work and no ! it ain't a good strategy because a lot of stuff can't be disconnected from the playfield unless unsoldered.

Welcome to my nightmare !

First of all, what connectors should be unpluggued ? Simple, all those going down to the cabinet ! They're easy to locate, they almost all goes the cabinet  

** IMPORTANT ** Buy a fine tip marker !!!!

Do not assume that you will be able to put them all in place, they are all keyed and easy for the most part, but you may get confused and "trial and errors" isnt really recommended...

Ok, so start by removing the wires going from the boards to the speaker panel and DMD, label each connector, take the extra time, trust me. The connector id is written on the boards besides the connector pins themself. Remove the ground going from the panel to the head. You can safely put it aside now, less hassle while taking the rest out.

Now do the same for every single wire going down to the cab... one by one Can take some time at first but you will get it done in about half an hour.

Make sure the head can be freely removed, remove the ground strap too, should be hooked from the cab to inside the head. Dont forget to put that back after else you will have a good surprise, ask Gory  

I personally never remove the hex screws from inside the cab, its a pain once the wires are out to take glass off and remove it, same to put it back. Might be easier for some games but i always remove the 3 bolts from inside the head. 3 each side, then you can take the screws off and the head is free. Secure the 2 big thing on the sides so they dont scratch the art while you move the game... KEEP THE LATCH ATTACHED WHILE YOU DO THAT ELSE YOU RISK DROPPING THE HEAD. At this point hopefully you're not alone.. anyway going alone in the stairs wouldnt be a genius idea  

Now, ask your helper to hold the head while you unlatch it in the back and get the head slowly toward the cabinet, as soon as there is enough space, take all the wires you disconnected and get them to pass thru the hole so you can take the head completely off. Help your friend taking the head off...

An extra step i do, take all the wires and lay them on the pf glass. Tape them in place on the glass so they wont move while you are breaking your back in the stairs... then you wont trip on them and it will be more secure for YOU and the game...

Do it backward to put it back togheter and you're done I usually get it all done under and hour, yes its a pain but its not that hard.

For Data East games like Guns N'Roses, i also remove the pf completely by disconnecting a few extra connectors in the cab when the head is off. Makes it much lighter to move in the stairs... i'm trying to save my back as much as possible.

Good luck !  And feel free to ask if i wasnt clear ..

Quoted from jonny_eh

Also, I've lifted up the playfield, and being a WPC, there's no support arm to keep the playfield up, but I can't figure out how make the playfield stay up. Do I need to always have a 2nd person hold it up?

WPCs are actually the easiest ! No need for a second person to hold it... just raise the pf then pull it toward you, you will hear 2 clicks (one for both sides). It will then be locked in place and you'll be able to raise it up like an older system 11 pin.

To put it back in place, take it down slowly and once it almost reached the apron, the locks will unlock and you'll be able to push it toward the back of the cab.

A bit hard to explain but pretty easy once you've done it once !

Good luck !

Thanks for this Azatotht, I have been thinking about breaking down my BK2K and some other similar machines to take downstairs with less "effort" (my back is killing me lately).  

Thanks for the top notch advice Azatotht!

Here's the result:


Thanks to IBCrackin for selling me this fine pin!

I'm so excited to own a pinball machine!

If any Ottawa members would like to come play, don't hesitate to ask! I'll even set it on Free Play!