Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Starter rope replacment, rope pulley, starter rope

Question
Poulan Pro SM 132 grass trimmer.  Trying to remove the cooling housing in order to get to the rope pulley.  Have everything removed except the coupling drive.  Must remove in order to get the cooling housing out of the way.  What is the proper procedure and tools to use?

Answer
Hello Joe:

Sorry for the Delay. This Question was Located in the Question Pool and I can Only Answer Questions from the Question Pool when I am Not Answering Questions here or at the Other Site I Answer Questions at. Also, I am on Vacation and had a Few Minutes to Answer a Few Questions. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram... and Select the Catalog Poulan/Weed Eater. Now Select Poulan Pro and then Scroll to your Trimmer Model and Select. If I Understand your Description Correctly; you are trying to Remove the Flywheel. Inside the Coupling Drive is a Torx Screw that has to be Removed. Once this is Removed you can Continue with the Disassembly and Replace the Recoil Rope and Spring. The Following is a General Instruction File I Made to Perform this Repair. If you have Any Suggestions or Remarks, then Please Let me Know. Thanks. **Remove the Boom/Shaft from the Engine. Remove the Mounting Bolts and the Boom and Center Drive Shaft should Slide Away from the Starter Housing Assembly. **On Some Model Trimmers, there is a Torx Screw Inside the Coupling Drive that has to be Removed. There is also a Locking Screw on the Side of the Housing that is a Anti-Vibration Lock.** Using the Breakdown as a Guide Remove the Starter Housing Assembly from the Engine Assembly. Now Carefully/Slowly Remove the Pressure Plate Assembly from the Starter Housing. The Spring May have Broken and Sometimes a Section will Jump Out when the Pressure Plate Assembly is Removed from the Starter Housing. When it Jumps, it Pushes the Recoil Pulley Out Also. Look at the Direction of the Coil of the Spring in the Housing and Make an Arrow in the Direction of the Coil with a Magic Marker on the Inside of the Housing. Remove the Broken Spring and Clean the Housing with Spray Lubrication. You can Use Solvent if Required, Just be Sure to Wipe it Before Assembly with Spray Lubricant. The New Spring should come with a Retainer that Holds it in a Circle. If you have Removed the Spring from the Retainer, then Use a Piece of Plastic Pipe About 2" Long that is the Same Inside Diameter as the Retainer (Slightly Smaller than the Recess that the Spring Coils Into if you Lost the Retainer). Coil the Spring Into the Pipe and then Set the Spring Into the Recess. Make Sure the Spring Tab of the Spring Engages the Spring Lock in the Recess. Use a Socket to Hold the Spring in Place and Pull the Pipe Out of the Recess. Lock the Pulley in Place. Now Turn 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. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 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. Thanks.

Respectfully

John