QuestionQUESTION: Hello!
I have a JD circa 1980's snowblower with a broken pull rope. I got the crank assembly apart and replaced the rope, but in the process of rewinding the spring it came out, nearly took my eye out! Now I have a spring completely outside of the assembly and no idea how to get it back inside as my fingers cannot hold this greasy thing tight enough to set it properly.
Many thanks for your expertise!
Chris
ANSWER: Hello Chris:
>>The Following is a Basic Horozontal Recoil Starter Repair Instruction File. Any Input/Suggestions are Appreciated. Remove the Starter Housing/Engine Cover. Remove the Old Rope (the Rope is Not Installed onto the Pulley Until AFTER the Spring and Pulley are Installed into the Housing. All will be explained later in these Instructions), Pulley and Spring from the Blower Housing. Clean the Housing. Now Take the New Spring and Locate the Housing Lock Hole that is Usually Near the Pull Handle Hole. Slip the New Spring Into this Hole and Lock the End Onto the Pulley. Now Lock the Pulley Into the Blower Housing. Turn the Pulley in the Same Direction that it would Turn During the Starting Process. The Spring will be Pulled Into the Blower Housing as you Turn the Pulley. When the Spring is Almost All the Way Into the Housing; Hold the End with Pliers and Make Sure it Catches in the Blower Housing Lock. Once the Spring is Locked Into the Housing, then Continue Turning the Pulley in the Same Direction that the Pulley would Turn if the Rope was Turning it. Once the Pulley will Turn No More, then Reverse Direction 1 or 2 Turns and Thread the New Rope Through the Hole in the Center of the Pulley and Out the Hole in the Blower Housing. Pull the Rope Through Until it is Tight Against the Pulley. Now Tie a Slip Knot in the Rope to Hold the Pulley in Place While the Handle is Attached to the Rope. Once the Handle is Attached, Release the Slip Knot and the Rope Should Retract Into the Housing. Reassemble the Blower Housing Onto the Engine. On Some Models you May have to Install the Rope Before you Lock the Pulley in Place. If So, there is a U in the Pulley that the Rope is Held in While Turning the Pulley to Tighten the Spring. These are for Most Recoil Starters. If these Instructions are Not for your Recoil Starter, then Send me the Model Numbers Off the Unit, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you.
>>If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 3 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Follow Up Questions are Received Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks John for the reply. These directions ask me to locate a housing lock hole, but this assembly doesn't have one. The spring sits under the pulley with no opening available to wind the spring in from the outside. It appears I have to do this manually? or do I need some tool specifically designed for this?
many thanks,
Chris
AnswerHello Again Chris:
>>If there is Not an Anchor Hole in the Blower Housing for the Spring to Lock Into, then the Spring Lock is Under the Pulley.
>>For this Style Recoil Starter, it is Easier to Make a Tool to Install the Spring.
>>You will Need a PVC Pipe that is Slightly Smaller than the Inside of the Blower Housing where the Spring is Wound.
>>Cut the PVC to 1/2" or 3/4" and then Wind the Recoil Spring Inside the PVC Pipe. Use your Fingers to Hold the SPring Inside the Short PVC Pipe and Once the Spring is Wound Inside the PVC, you Set the PVC and Spring Into the Blower Housing.
>>Mak Sure the Spring Lock is Connected and then Hold the Spring with a Socket or Anything that will Hold the Spring in Place while you Pull the PVC Out of the Blower Housing, Leaving the Spring in Place.
>>Did you Locate the Model Numbers.
>>It would Help if I had a Breakdown for you and I to View.
>>As Always, If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I Hope to be Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Be Safe and Happy. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 3 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Follow Up Questions are Received Anytime. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
