Has anyone replaced a started cord on a Craftsman 6.5 walk behind mower? How to do it?
My mom owns a Craftsman Walk Behind Lawn Mower (6.5) Model Number 917.377431 and the starter rope has become frayed to the point that it can't handle another tug on it. I've just replaced the spark plug, but when I went to do the rope (have a new one already) it looks like the rewind assembly is welded down with spot rivets. So how do I replace the rope with a new one when it's welded down like that? I've read that people drill into the spot and simply replace those with nuts and bolts, but I would rather not have to. Is there ANY way around that? Please, unless I HAVE to take it to the shop, don't tell me that as help. We don't have ANY money to throw around. If you can do it at home, then I CAN do it, but I just need to know how. Thank you so much!
You should start by taking off the entire shroud. That is the entire metal piece attached to the rewind assembly. once you remove that piece flip it upside down and you should see where the rope attaches. Now you should pull the rope all the way out, the spring will want to retract it so I would recommend sticking a screwdriver or something through the top or the side to hold the spring in place. Now just untie the rope, remove it and insert the new rope through the hole and tie the end into a knot. now when you remove the screwdriver the rope should recoil back into place. (I should have mentioned that you want to make sure the hole in the shroud lines up with the hole in plastic pulley that holds the rope)
Here is link to a video that talks about how to recoil the spring and then attach a new starter rope. http://www.ehow.com/video_2328961_how-tension-lawn-mower-starter.html There are also a lot of other videos that might be helpful.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
