Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): weedeater, vise grip pliers, rope thread

Question
how to replace a rope on weedeater featherlite

Answer
Hi Bill,

Follow my recoil repair proceedure, below.  Being for a push mower, some will not apply.  To get at the recoil you may need to split the case.

Remove the recoil shroud and take a look at the assembly.
You might have a broken spring or just a rope that has slipped out of the reel.
The spring usually breaks at one of the end tabs. If so, you will need to get a replacement spring and carefully wind that in, before re-assembling
the rope reel. You might wish to replace the rope also, if it shows signs of wear. Below is my proceedure for replacing a broken recoil rope.

You will need to remove the entire cooling shroud. There should be 4 bolts
on the sides. You might need to remove the fuel tank also.
Pre-wind the recoil reel by hand [about 6 turns, to set the spring tension] and clamp it with Vise-Grip pliers. Remove the old rope. Thread
the new rope through the shroud housing eyelet and to the reel hub. Let the reel re-wind itself until it is full. If there is not enough spring
tension you can wind it a couple of turns more by slipping the rope around between the reel and shroud. Re-clamp the reel. Cut the rope to length and
thread it though the handle. At all knots, burn and melt the rope with a lighter to prevent untying. Re-assemble.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael