Many Jaws machines are suffering from wild airballs up into the top right corner of the game, due to the Chum Line plastic. The center section of this plastic is not supported from below; it sags slightly as the ball rolls over it, so as ball crosses the slot, it’s low enough to ricochet off the slot edge and goes flying!

Several owners have attempted to resolve the issue by placing post rubbers, clear nubs, tubing, and other things underneath. And while these objects have been able to provide support, they also cast unsightly shadows or have visible silhouettes through the chum line plastic.

Rocket City Pinball to the rescue, with the Chum Line Airball Suppressor! The wacky-shaped piece looks like Batman’s batarang mated with a set of brass knuckles — but there are two reasons for its weirdness: 1) the curved ends nestle into the opening below the playfield for reliable, consistent placement that won’t come loose … and 2) the main wall and wall extensions precisely align with the red chum line and its harpoons — thereby becoming invisible without shadows or silhouettes.

The Airball Suppressor is 3D printed in clear TPU — a soft, flexible plastic. The TPU’s softness prevents damage to the art where it touches the bottom surface of the chum line plastic, and its flexibility allows for slight compression where necessary to accommodate the exact fit of each individual game.

Installation is very easy and only takes 5-10 minutes. The only tools you need are a Phillips head screwdriver and a pair of tweezers or other small-tipped tool to help align washers during reinstallation.

The video in the Installation Instructions section explains the issue, demonstrates the installation process, and shows the game in action after installation:

This mod fits all versions of the game (Pro, Premium, and LE) whose chum line plastic is ~3/16″ thick***.

*** IMPORTANT NOTE: the rumor (started late March 2024) that Stern is shipping games with 1/4″ thick plastic is unsubstantiated, and Stern themselves have told multiple inquiring customers that there has been no change to production with respect to the chum line. ~~ If you are concerned, you should measure your plastic before you order this part! ~~ This mod is designed to fit games with a chum line plastic just under 3/16″ thick (most are 0.175″ – 0.180″)