Repair My Law Mower's Broken Starter Rope Cord

Here's a simple step-by-step guide about how to replace a broken starter cord rope on your lawnmower quickly and easily.


You will need the following tools:
>>  Needle-nose pliers.
>>  Leather gloves.
>>  4-in-1 screwdriver.
>>  Nut driver.

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You tug one last time to get your lawn mower started and suddenly the rope cord breaks and the end goes spinning into the hole. Don't worry! If you have even a small amount of mechanical savvy it is pretty easy to replace starter rope.

If the spring breaks — a fairly rare event - the fix is more difficult and in that case we recommend you take the mower to a repair center.

Step 1 - Removing The Old Starter Cord Rope

Remove the screws that hold the rewind assembly to the engine and then lift it off. Use a nut driver to remove the hex head screws.

The first step is to remove the rewind assembly from the lawn mower - how you do this varies according to your brand and model so consult your owner's manual. The rewind is usually held by three or more screws. Remove the screws and lift off the rewind.

Some mowers have a shroud covering the top of the lawn mower. In that case you will need to search for and remove the screws that hold the shroud in place.

If the rewind unit is held by rivets instead of screws, remove the bolts that hold the shroud to the engine. If the rivets are loose, drill them out and replace them with bolts and locknuts.

After removing the rewind unit, turn it over and look inside to locate the knotted end of the broken cord rope. Hold it using needle-nose pliers and pull it out.

You will thread the new rope through this hole. You will find replacement starter cord ropes online or at home centers, hardware stores and small-engine repair centers.

Step 2 - Installing New Cord Rope

Before installing your new cord rope you'll need to rewind the spring by twisting the rope pulley in the same direction it goes when you pull on the rope.

You will know when you are turning the pulley in the right direction because it will get more difficult to turn.

Keep turning the pulley until you feel resistance and it won't turn easily. Then let it unwind about one-half to one revolution until the hole in the pulley is lined up with the hole in the rewind housing.

Wedge a screw-driver against the pulley to keep the spring from unwinding while you thread the rope through the holes. Tip: Using leather gloves, melt the end of the rope with a match. While the plastic is hot give it a quick twist to create a pointed end so it becomes easier to thread.

Push the end of the rope through both holes and tie a knot. Heat the knot a little bit with a match and pull it tight to keep it from coming undone. Remove the screwdriver while you keep pressure on the pulley with your finger and gradually let the rope wind onto the wheel.

You might have extra rope to cut off after everything is back together. Mount the rewind unit and reinstall any shrouding or other parts you needed to remove. Put the handle on the rope and tie a knot. Position the knot so that there is a little tension on the rope when you release the handle.

If the lawn mower rope extends up the handle, ensure you place the rope handle in its final position before tensioning the rope slightly and tying the knot.