How do I change a broken pull cord on a 32cc Craftsman Weed Wacker?

I just read this answere and had same problem with my weedwacker. I couldn't get the clutch assembly off, so I was able to cut a couple of the plastic bars from the shroud surrounding the pull start wheel and was able to thread a new cord through the hole without taking it off. Finished in 20 minutes !

Chuck R
August 2010

Aloha Hugo, Yes you have to block the piston from completeing a stroke, and you will need a size 20 Torx screw driver to go down in the hole in the clutch drum ( where your drive shaft fits) don`t worry about the screw it won`t come all the way out it just loosens, after the clutch drum is off unscrew the clutch shoe assembly like a jar, this should allow you to get to the starter assembly, do not unscrew the little screw on the plastic rope pulley unless you have to replace the spring. Then very carefully remove the rope thats left in there, pull it back out through the hole is great then hold your white pulley with something( your wife or anything) usually a small screwdriver stuck down through the holes will do it, undo the rope from the pulley and pull it out through the hole, now get about 3 to 3 1/2 feet of the same size rope at your local lawnmower shop. before you install the rope take a few more turns on the white pully to load the spring you will want 6 or 8 full turns on that pully then hold it again with that screwdriver and feed your rope backwards through the hole and then through the hole in the pulley very careful use a piece of wire or anything you think will help feed it through then tie it off like the old one was put the plastic pull handle on and then pull your screwdriver out and gently let the rope go back in on its own power with the spring. I f you need more help email me leroychristenson@hawaiiantel.net

Leroy Christenson
October 2008

Ok, I just went through this nightmare and this is what I had to do. I had to take the ENTIRE thing apart and the shaft was still blocking me from pulling the housing off.

You have to unscrew the front of the shaft off completely in order to pull the housing off. In order to do this I put a screwdriver blocking the piston on the other side of the engine from turning when I unscrewed it.

After you pull the housing off you will be able to EVENTUALLY get to the part that the pull rope goes around. You'll have to unscrew a couple more things to get to it but if I can do it you can do it.

Just keep track of all your screws and where they go!!!

Hope this helped you!!!

Terrel Oubre
July 2006