Help repairing John Deere 14PZ Push Mower?

I have a John Deere push mower serial #GX14PZA011922 that had a broken pull start rope. I took it apart, which included cutting off the backs of the rivets that held the housing on, and installed a new rope. I replaced the rivets with nuts and bolts and put everything back together exactly as it was before, except now when I pull the rope, it doesn't recoil and the motor doesn't turn over. I did notice that the mechanism in the center of the rope coil housing was rusty. Could that be the problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.