How to Change the Pull Cord on a Craftsman Weed Whacker

The pull cord on a Craftsman weed whacker powers the starter assembly. When the operator tugs on the cord, the pulley inside the starter spins. Once the pulley is spinning fast enough, the flywheel generates a spark and the combustion process starts. Without this cord, the operator wouldn’t be able to start the weed whacker manually. This cord will become damaged from excessive pulling; it can get ripped off the pulley or it can become covered in dirt.

Safety glasses
Screwdriver
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Switch off the ignition button and wait for the weed whacker to cool down. Unscrew the starter assembly at the front of the trimmer. Take the starter assembly off the front of the engine and turn it over to change the pull cord.
- 2
  Hold your thumb onto the pulley. Cut the cord at the starter handle and at the base of the pulley. Let out the tension on the recoil spring slowly, taking your thumb off the pulley.
- 3
  Remove the old pull cord. Thread the new pull cord into the center of the pulley, through the starter cover and through the starter handle. Tie a knot in both ends of the cord.
- 4
  Twist a loop into the cord. Pull the loop, along with the pulley, four to six revolutions following the arrow on the pulley. Turn the pulley until the recoil spring gets tensioned, but isn’t bottoming out.
- 5
  Uncurl the cord and let go of the pulley to rewind the cord back onto the pulley. Refit the starter assembly to the Craftsman’s engine. Refit the screws to the starter assembly cover.

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