String Trimmer Pull Cord Repair (Craftsman or Homelite)

An A to Z demonstration for the repair of a broken pull string for a string trimmer. The string trimmer model repaired was a Craftsman 27cc 2-cycle gas trimmer. This model is similar to the Homelite and the repair would be the same. This is an easy DIY project that can be completed with a minimal amount of experience in 30 to 45 minutes.

[@bcr.380]

Thank you for posting this. I just got this exact model at a garage sale for 50 bucks and it runs perfectly. This was the only thing that needed fixing and you made it so much easier. Thanks!

[@DIYMoreorLes-ys9ks]

Your very welcome. Glad this helped you out. 👍

[@WladsonMarquesSantos]

Another way to fit the washer onto the axle is to use a #15 socket. The mechanism is identical to the one used on the Cub Cadet. Thanks for sharing !

[@lplatz]

Yep - you're spot on. I've used that technique before and it works great. Completely slipped my mind on this reassemble. Thank you for sharing!

[@thomasroberts5733]

How do you fix the out side housing the first part you took off My string won't pull all the way back in hasn't broke off just won't pull back in fix please help

[@DIYMoreorLes-ys9ks]

Greetings @thomasroberts5733. If I'm reading your question correctly, it sounds like one of two issues. Both of which, will require you to pull the cord housing off and disassemble the cord spool mechanism. If your issue is that your cord is NOT fulling retracting back into the housing after a "start pull", restringing your spool will take care of that. If your issue is that you're not able to get a full pull of the cord during a "start pull", your cord is bound up/tangled inside your cord spool. For both issues, you'll need to disassemble and rewind your string around the cord spool. Follow the steps in the video for restringing your spool. A reminder that I didn't include in the video, is when creating the tension on the empty cord spool before inserting the cord, you rotate the spool counterclockwise to generate your tension. I've seen where the spools have been rotated clockwise and though it does create tension, it's tension in the wrong direction for the pull mechanism in the motor housing. If I have misread your issue, please follow with more details and I'll do my best to troubleshoot for you. All the best and thank you for viewing.

[@tomsherry8961]

I have a very similar one. , it's not winding back. Spring looks ok. Any ideas ???

[@lplatz]

I'll give this a quick shot given I don't know where in the process you may or may not have derailed from the instruction. After determining the number of revolutions the spool spins with the length of pull cord you have to work with, place the empty spool without the cord into the string pull housing. Turn the spool counter clockwise and you should begin to feel tension with each additional revolution. In my case I turned mine 4 revolutions before locking the spool out so I could thread the cord into the spool and tie it off at the end. If done correctly, once you release the tool holding the spool, the spool will automatically wind up the cord. If you discover that all your cord is not being wound up, you didn't wind the empty spool enough revolutions to accommodate your length of pull cord. I'm just guessing here but the most likely reason this didn't work is that you wound your empty spool clockwise instead of counterclockwise.

[@tomsherry8961]

@lplatz thanks. Not my issue. I've repaired plenty of lawnmowers, similar theory. But this is different . The lock piece and plastic gear lock in after. How do I wind it back. ? On a lawnmower u put it all together. Then lush the rope in and tie it off..it pulls back in (retraction) this doesn't look like that

[@rafaelbenyisrael144]

Thank you so much!! Worked like a charm!!! 🫡

[@lplatz]

You're very welcome. Glad it helped 👍