The starter rope in a Weed Eater lawn mower 22 inches runs through a spring pulley and kick system. The pulley is located on the steering wheel and when the rope is pulled, the pulley and the steering wheel rotate together. When the rope is released, the return spring engages and pulls the rope back into the pulley. This rope can get frayed, worn or torn from too much traction. The pulley and recoil spring may also lose its effectiveness and need to be replaced.
Instructions
1 unscrew the cover of the starter box. On some models, you may need to remove the fuel tank for access to the screws on the boot box cover. Unscrew the fuel tank and remove the cover from the starter box. Unscrew the bolt securing the rope guide and rope to one side of the lawn mower handle.
2 switch on the starter covers more than access the starter rope pulley. Keep your thumb on the pulley. Cut the old wire at the base of the handle and into the knot in the pulley. Let the tension out in the recoil spring slowly, raising the thumb a little at a time. Take the old wire from the pulley.
3 Loosen the pulley on the cover of the starter box. Slide the screw, washer and pulley. Remove the return spring from inside the center of the pulley. Inspect the pulley and return spring for damage and replace if they break.
4 Pass the new length of the starter rope through the hole inside the pulley. Tie a knot in the base of the rope and pull the rope all the way through the hole. Wind the wrist-needle rope around the pulley. Push the return spring back into the center of the pulley. Lubricate the starter post with the grease of the motor. Set pulley, washer and screw, tighten starter post screw.
5 Jiggle the pulley back and forth until it is coupled with the return spring. Pass the rope through the hole in the starter cap. Pass the rope through the starter handle and tie another knot in the top of the handle. Make sure the starter rope pulls out and recoils again.
6 fit the starter-box cover back into the motor. Tighten all screws. Replace the fuel tank if necessary. Route the starter rope to the mower handle and replace the rope guide, tighten the screw with the wrench.