Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Rewinding starter bcoil spring, spring retainer, pvc pipe

Question
Hi John!  I have a weed eater gas blower.  Starter spring siezed up.  I removed it and cleand rust but cant figure how to get it wound back up to get it back into the pulley housing.  How do you rewind these things with out them flying all over the place?  Thank you in advance.

Answer
 Hello Brian

 I loved your question. It brought back good memories. After fighting my first trimmer spring I made a tool to assist in this endever.  Measure the diameter of the housing where the spring sits.  Get a piece of PVC pipe (1/2"long) that has the same inside diameter as the housing.  A deepwell sock that slides snugly inside the PVC will also be required.  Wind the spring inside the PVC pipe and the position the PVC into place so as to install the spring.  Take the deepwell socket and push the pring into the housing. Make sure the spring is lined up with the housing spring retainer.


 I havent done one in a while  mostly  I break mine and by new ones.

 Good Luck.

 Respectfully

 John