Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): non retracting starter pull, ball bearings, spring pressure

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have a Tecumpsah 4.0 hp mower(MTD 20 years old)le saturday and the rope did not retract. I took it apart all the way down to the flyweel. I even removed the part with the fall ball bearings and everything was well lubricated. Is there a spring and/or something that could have broken off?
Answer -
I recommend for everyone, that asks about recoils, they should take the assembly in to a good shop.  If you haven't repaired one before it can end up costing you more money and has the potential to be dangerous.  Hope this helps.

I have taken  mowers like this apart before all the way down to the pistons. I was just hoping to get some information or links to get either an exploded diagram or pictoral.  

Answer
It's likely the end of the spring is either broken or bent and disengaged from the starter pulley.  You can check the Tecumseh site for a parts diagram.  It's not that it's terribly difficult to repair a recoil, it's just that I've seen people spend more money (because they screw up a new spring, break the starter pulley, clamp and break something with vise grips while trying to hold the pulley against spring pressure) than they would have if they had just taken it in.  Maybe one of the other experts can help you further.