i have a older homelite model XL. i would like to replace the cord. i took off the side cover and rethreaded the cord through the hole in the cover, put the cover screws in place and pulled. i have lost spring tension. the cord will not retract. when i get the new cord how do i get the spring tension back. thank you.

paul, September 2006

As long as the spring is still attached and not broken you need to wind the spring BEFORE YOU CAN PUT THE ROPE IN-you can generally do this by hand .Wind the spring as tight as you can,once you do this you will need to line up the rope hole in the handle and the spool the rope goes into,you will need to find a way(vice grips,another person)to hold the spool in position while you thread the rope through,once that is done tie a good knot in the rope,cut off any excess ropeand release the spool slowy,it should wind right up.

Bob Runser, April 2007

if your spring has not snapped back wind it with the cord until you have the right tension

geoff, January 2007