# How To Install A Stern Pinball Shooter Rod Accessory (SDTM, 2022)

**Source:** Straight Down the Middle  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2022-05-05  
**Duration:** 3m 11s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AOuTSXNN4

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## Analysis

Greg from Flip N Out Pinball demonstrates the step-by-step installation process for a replacement shooter rod on a Stern pinball machine, using a Godzilla-themed rod as an example. The tutorial covers safety precautions, removal of the lockdown bar and playfield access, rod replacement, and reinstallation.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Shooter rod installation requires removing the lockdown bar, glass, and raising the playfield to access three mounting screws — _Greg from Flip N Out Pinball, instructional demonstration_
- [HIGH] The left mounting screw for the shooter rod is difficult to access due to cabinet proximity and requires a longer, thinner screwdriver — _Greg from Flip N Out Pinball, demonstrated during installation process_
- [HIGH] Only three screws need to be removed for shooter rod replacement; the plate stays in place — _Greg from Flip N Out Pinball, instructional guidance_

### Notable Quotes

> "As always, make sure to purchase all of your fantastic pinball accessories from flipinoutpinball.com"
> — **Greg**, Opening
> _Promotional statement identifying Greg's business affiliation_

> "Don't forget to remove those balls. You don't want to go raising the playfield and they roll into the back and solenoid or damage any plastics or anything else. Again, safety first."
> — **Greg**, Mid-tutorial
> _Safety emphasis on removing balls before playfield access_

> "Because that left screw over there is very difficult to get to because it is so close to the cabinet, I had to actually switch out so that I was out of the way of the shooter rod"
> — **Greg**, Installation phase
> _Practical tip about ergonomic challenges with left screw installation_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Greg | person | Host of tutorial, identified as owner/operator of Flip N Out Pinball, demonstrates shooter rod installation |
| Flip N Out Pinball | company | Pinball parts retailer and aftermarket accessories vendor; Greg's business, sells custom shooter rods including Godzilla-themed rod |
| Straight Down the Middle | organization | YouTube channel that published this tutorial (video source attribution) |
| Godzilla | game | Pinball machine theme used as example for shooter rod installation demonstration |
| Stern | company | Pinball manufacturer; the machine type for which this installation tutorial applies |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Shooter rod replacement and installation, Pinball machine maintenance and modification, Aftermarket pinball accessories
- **Secondary:** Safety procedures for pinball machine service, Pinball parts retail

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Greg presents the installation as straightforward and enjoyable ('she's so pretty'), uses encouraging tone throughout, emphasizes customer satisfaction with final product

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Educational content production on shooter rod installation suggests community focus on enabling DIY modifications and machine customization (confidence: medium) — Tutorial video published on Straight Down the Middle channel demonstrating step-by-step installation process
- **[technology_signal]** Aftermarket custom shooter rods (themed replacements like Godzilla) are established aftermarket products available through pinball parts retailers, indicating mature customization ecosystem (confidence: high) — Greg demonstrates installation of custom Godzilla shooter rod from Flip N Out Pinball inventory

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## Transcript

 Hey, Greg here with Flip N Out Pinball. and today I'm going to show you guys how to install a pinball shooter rod. As always, make sure to purchase all of your fantastic pinball accessories from flipinoutpinball.com. That is the letter N, flipinoutpinball.com. And today I'm going to be showing you guys this on this beautiful Godzilla shooter rod. Oh, she's so pretty. So let's always start by turning off our pinball machine. Next, go ahead and unplug it just to be little safe. Next, let's remove those latches for that lockdown bar. Then we will remove the lockdown bar, followed by your pinball glass. Now something else to remember, don't forget to remove those balls. You don't want to go raising the playfield and they roll into the back and bust any plastics or anything else. Again, safety first. Now we simply raise the playfield and removing the three screws you do not need to remove the actual plate itself so the bottom two red screws actually stay save these screws put them to the side you will need them for the reinstallation Once those three screws are out you just simply remove the shooter rod from your pinball cabinet and install your new one. Then reinstall all three screws. Now as you'll see I actually switched over to a a longer, thinner screwdriver. The right screw and the bottom screw are very easy to get to, but because that left screw over there, as you can see on the screen, is very difficult to get to because it is so close to the cabinet, I had to actually switch out so that I was out of the way of the shooter rod. Now, reinstall everything. Glass and your lockdown bar. Make sure those latches are secure and you put your balls in. Don't forget the balls. And it was that simple. Now sit back and enjoy your brand new shooter rod from Flip N Out Pinball. And there that. Take two. Thank you.

_(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: b6483a99-9d6a-4c3a-a188-d3503f3817c2*