The pull rope wouldn't retract back into housing. I took it apart and the coiled spring flew apart like a pocketwatch! Is it worth repairing, or just replace weedeater? It was 59.95 at WalMart and it's 2 years old. Local lawnmower shop will charge half that just to evaluate.

http://www.nehp.net/~jimw/weedeater/DSCN9592.JPG

http://www.nehp.net/~jimw/weedeater/DSCN9593.JPG

The shops will also charge up to $75 to fix weedeaters. Yes, its worth fixing but only if you can figure it out on your own. You don't need any parts so you fixing it will be free. I can't tell you exactly how to recoil your spring since there are many different models but check your manual for the availability of a repair manual. First manually recoil the starter rope in the sprocket all the way. Reconnect the inside ring of the spring on the post and start coiling the spring by hand, both hands. You should reach a point where the spring force is making it tough to go further. At this point try to insert the outer ring of the spring inside the curve/post in the housing. This is just a general starting point. I've done many and had quite a few rexplode on my because I slipped. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.

The shops will also charge up to $75 to fix weedeaters. Yes, its worth fixing but only if you can figure it out on your own. You don't need any parts so you fixing it will be free. I can't tell you exactly how to recoil your spring since there are many different models but check your manual for the availability of a repair manual. First manually recoil the starter rope in the sprocket all the way. Reconnect the inside ring of the spring on the post and start coiling the spring by hand, both hands. You should reach a point where the spring force is making it tough to go further. At this point try to insert the outer ring of the spring inside the curve/post in the housing. This is just a general starting point. I've done many and had quite a few rexplode on my because I slipped. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose.

I'm unsure what caused it to fail to retract to begin with, but nothing appears to be broken. Maybe I'm overlooking some little something that caused the issue. Thanks for you help. I may give it a shot.

Jim_W

Before you go to too much trouble check both ends of the spring. You should see a crook at each end that fits on a post. Sometimes the crook breaks off and then you are in line to buy a new spring. Wie down the edghes of the pulley like rope coiler so it isn't gummed up too jmuch. Good luck.