how do i replace starter rope on Troy Bilt TB20CS gas trimmer?

Highly recommend taking it to a shop ($35)...But, if you dare to proceed, you have to do the following...

1. The entire engine/housing has to come off the handle shaft section. There are a couple screws on a collar, and you have to uncouple the wire harness.

2. Now wiggle the engine free (the square drive shaft goes into the cluch assy.)

3. Now pop apart the pull cord handle and get the pull cord free, and pull it out of the housing guide (if it isn't snapped off yet). Tie off with a knot so it doesn't retract into the rewind spool (its easier to do it this way instead of letting it go inside).

4. Now, remove the engine cowling, and we are ready to change out the cording (do you have replacement cording available, #4/5 ?). Watch the clutch cover/screen...

5. Pull the cord until it stops. With a small needlenose pliers, reach into the small depression in the recoild pulley, and grab the cord knot, pull up and cut off. Keep your thumb on the wound pulley or use a small screw driver wedged in, to hold.

6. Cut a replacement length, tie a doubled tight knot, and feed into the pulley and guide out through the pulley exit hole--tie a big temp knot at the end and let the pulley retract. (If you did an ooops, and let the pulley go and it sprang back, rewind with about 10 turns to retension).

7. Now, put it all back together...Mind the drive shaft engagement into the clutch... might want to put a little moly grease on it while you have it apart...Align the engine and handle, tighten the screws and plug the wires back together.

Dave
September 2009