Deadpool Premium ball getting stuck behind left Katana ramp
My Stern Deadpool Premium has an annoying mechanical issue where the ball keeps getting stuck behind the left Katana ramp about once every two or three games. The ball somehow gets wedged between the back of the ramp wireform and the playfield wall, and the game eventually times out and goes to ball search.
Ball search activates all the solenoids but the ball stays stuck. I have to open the coin door and manually tilt the machine to free it. This has been happening since I got the game about four months ago. I've looked at the area and there doesn't seem to be an obvious gap, but clearly the ball is finding a way in.
Is this a known issue with the Deadpool Premium? Is there a mod or fix to prevent this?
yemons·3/21/2026★ 1 Answer
This is a well-known issue on the Stern Deadpool, particularly the Premium and LE models. The gap between the Katana ramp wireform and the playfield sidewall is just large enough that a ball traveling at certain angles can squeeze into an area it shouldn't be able to reach. Stern has acknowledged this in some service bulletins but the fix isn't always obvious from the factory.
The simplest and most effective fix is to add a small piece of clear playfield protector material or a thin metal bracket to block the gap where the ball enters. Many Deadpool owners use a Cliffy protector specifically designed for this area — check Marco Specialties for Cliffy protectors for Deadpool. Alternatively, you can fabricate a small L-bracket from thin stainless steel and mount it with existing screws to close off the gap. Some owners have also had success by slightly bending the wireform ramp rail to sit closer to the wall, but be careful not to over-bend it as this can create ball-tracking issues on the ramp itself.
Also check the general levelness and pitch of your playfield. If the playfield incline is too steep or the machine isn't level side-to-side, balls can take unexpected trajectories that exacerbate design gaps like this. Stern recommends a 6.5-degree playfield pitch — use a digital angle finder on the playfield (not the glass) to verify. You can find digital inclinometers and leveling tools at Pinball Life. While you're at it, check for any other areas where the ball might get stuck — the Deadpool playfield has a few tight spots around the mechs that benefit from preventive gap-closing.
yemons·3/21/2026