How can i fix the pull cord on a yard machine lawn mower? I don't have the model or serial number and once i take off the initial housing it looks like the cover to the cord is riveted...how do i get it off?

stephanie, September 2008

After you pull off the shroud that holds the recoil, you will see 3 or so tabs that hold the "wheel" in the shroud. This wheel is grooved or slotted so the rope will wind inside the wheel. Sometimes the cord gets jammed between the wheel and shroud ( I am thinking of my experience with Briggs & Stratton)

With respect to the coil spring, try to avoid letting it slip out. There is an easy way to replace the rewind spring, but I forgot how to do it.

Good luck

Robert Brown, September 2008

The recoil is riveted on. You will have to remove the entire cowling assy. The recoil then can be either repaired, or replaced by drilling out the rivets and replacing with bolts. If you do this, make the bolts captive by gluing them into the cowling.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, September 2008