Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Pull Cord for Toro Recycler GTS2 4.5 hp 21 mower, nuts and bolts, fat fingers

Question
OK here goes.  I snapped the pull cord for my recycler all the way down inside the machine so there is only a few centimeters left that I can see inside it.  I tried to remove the cover (? not sure if I am referring to the parts by their proper names, but I am sure you get the point.) to get inside the place where the cord wraps around and to my dismay, it is rivited to the core of the engine so that I can't get to the area where the cord goes with my fat fingers.   Is there a way you can explain to me, in laymans terms, how to fix it.  I am having a hell of a time trying to get in there and would hate to pay megabucks to fix a 10+ year old mower.

Thanks very much in advance if you can help me.

Tim

Answer
I sure can, it's a very common problem. From the factory it is riveted in, when it needs repair you have to drill out the rivet heads and knock the rivets out. After your repair you replace them with nuts and bolts or screws, making sure your not leaving too much past the nuts underneath to hang up.......Tom