The Top Lock of My Gumball Machine Won’t Screw Down OR It's Tight But the Lid is Still Loose
This guide was designed specifically for the Carousel brand gumball machine but the principles outlined here can be applied to repairing a professional grade gumball machine with a center rod.
Required Tools: key or flathead screwdriver PLUS a pair of pliers.
The following scenarios are covered in these step-by-step instructions:
Situation A: The top lock on my gumball machine just spins and won't tighten.
This issue occurs when the lock will not attach to the center rod running up through the middle of the machine. The height of this center rod must be raised/increased slightly so the lock can thread on.
Situation B: The top lock on my gumball machine is tightened all the way down but the cap is loose and will not secure to the globe
When the center rod is too high, the cover is placed too far up to be secured onto the globe. The height of this center rod must be lowered/decreased slightly so the lid can properly attach.
Instructions
Step 1:
Situation A: Proceed to complete steps 2-21.
Situation B: Using the key or a flathead screwdriver, turn the screw lock counterclockwise until the top lock spins freely.
Step 2: Remove screw lock and remove the lid from the glass globe.
Step 3: Empty the gumballs or candy inside the machine into a container.
Step 4: Reach inside the machine, unscrew and remove the nut above the spider ring, turning counterclockwise with pliers and/or by hand.
Step 5: Remove the spider ring and top gasket
Step 6: Carefully lift the glass globe off machine.
Step 7: Remove the brush-off plate and bottom gasket.
Step 8: Remove the gum/candy dispensing wheel.
Step 9: Remove the coin mechanism by sliding up off the body.
Step 10: Use pliers to turn the nut located on bottom of the center rod counterclockwise until it is loose. Keep turning it until it's raised about 1/4 of an inch off the base.
Step 11: You should now be able to turn the center rod by hand, follow the appropriate instructions below that match your scenario:
Situation A: With your finger turn the center rod counterclockwise to raise it
Situation B: With your finger turn the center rod clockwise to lower it
Step 12: Once center rod is in desired position, use pliers to tighten the nut clockwise to secure it back into place.
Step 13: Slip coin mechanism back into place.
Step 14: Position dispensing wheel as pictured, with the pie shaped opening over the gum & candy chute.
Step 15: Replace brush plate and gasket like so:
Step 16: Carefully place the globe back on machine.
Step 17: Place the top gasket and spider ring on the machine.
Step 18: Reach inside the machine, screw in the nut above the spider ring, turning clockwise with pliers and/or by hand. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN, as this may cause the globe to shatter.
Step 19: For those with gumballs or candy, fill your machine back up.
Step 20: Use flathead screwdriver to turn screw lock clockwise in order to tighten it. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN, as this may cause the globe to shatter.
Step 21: Enjoy your gumball machine
