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spotismydog · Aug 2, 2009, 05:28 AM

My Ryobi spinner head does not turn all the time. I replaced the shaft insert on it as the good one had a round on the upper part of it. Any ideas why my trimmer head doesn't turn? Is it in the trimmer head or perhaps in the top part? Thanks for any help.

crigby · Aug 2, 2009, 07:53 AM

Hi,
Based on what you have said, and past experience of about 30 years; I would say that you have not got the shaft fully seated. Things do not always line up and require a bit of patience to get everything to go together fully. They may look to be in place and still be about 3/4" out.
Knowing curved or straight shaft, and clutch or no clutch are important to mention in the question. Clutch machines can be harder to seat and curved shaft machines can add seating problem.
Peace,
Clarke

spotismydog · Aug 2, 2009, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by crigby

Hi,
Based on what you have said, and past experience of about 30 years; I would say that you have not got the shaft fully seated. Things do not always line up and require a bit of patience to get everything to go together fully. They may look to be in place and still be about 3/4" out.
Knowing curved or straight shaft, and clutch or no clutch are important to mention in the question. Clutch machines can be harder to seat and curved shaft machines can add an additional seating problem.
Peace,
Clarke

Hi, It's a curved shaft, and about the clutch, how would I know that answer? All I know is when I take the shaft off, and look at the motor side, there is a round gray part that turns, and has a square end about two, three inches long where the shaft goes in. Does this help? Thanks for helping me out.

crigby · Aug 2, 2009, 05:50 PM

Hi,
I have done the same thing I said on a number of times (cannot work on them without mistakes - made about every one possible, just try not to repeat) and the trick I have found that is of the most use is to insert the flex shaft into that adpter on the engine first and then put the outer shaft into its location.
A clutch machine will have the hesd come to a stop at idle; a non-clutch model has the head spin whenever the engine runs.
Peace,
Clarke

spotismydog · Aug 2, 2009, 06:02 PM

It stops after it's done spinning or when the throttle is'nt pressed. So then it has a clutch, right? Could the clutch be shot on it? Or the trick is put the flex shaft into the adapter first, then the shaft? I'll try that trick if you don't think it's anything else. Thank you

crigby · Aug 2, 2009, 06:47 PM

Hi,
In most cases is the clutch is good for more than the life of the rest of the machine, so I doubt it is it (yes that is what you and I described.)
I re-read my first description and did not like it. The replacement shaft should be lubed as it goes into the outer shaft's liner. The outer (aluminum) shaft has a liner inside it to guide the flex shaft into place. The selfsame flexshaft must seat in each end for everything to be correct.
When I said to insert the shaft first, I could have don better. First lube and insert the flexshaft part way into the outer shaft lining leaving about a foot out. Insert the end of that end remaining out into the clutch's shaft fitting. Then bring the outer up to the engine housing into which it fits. Okay, you put it in the clutch, but it has to get into the fitting for the head at the other end. Usually you can see an indication on the outer shaft how far it was originally inserted into the engine housing; until it gets there, you are not done.
The engine should be pretty much downward during this exercise so as to keep the flexshaft in the clutch. If the shaft does not seat fully, ease back our and turn the head 45 degrees and try again. Be patient and it will seat when "it takes a mind to" and good luck
Peace,
Clarke

spotismydog · Aug 2, 2009, 07:29 PM

So your saying to put the flex shaft in the lining first, leaving a foot out so I can insert it in the head of the trimmer then. Should I hold the liner that it's facing up? I'm saying this so the flex shaft will not come out of head housing. Thanks again, Diane

spotismydog · Aug 2, 2009, 07:31 PM

I meant to say clutch housing as far as the foot out, so the clutch will be like facing up so the flex shaft don't come out of there.

crigby · Aug 2, 2009, 08:06 PM

Hi,
I seem to be unclear! Apologies.
Were I in the act of replacing the shaft: I would lube the shaft down one side, insert it all the way and turning the end to make sure it seated and turned the head, slipped it back out about a foot and put it into the clutch. I have a habit of resting the engines on the toe of my foot (you do not scratch them up,) though not always vertical. Then I would put the housing into the engine housing, there is usually a slot in it that must fit into the proper location. Once done, I would test.
Peace,
Clarke

mpaul1013 · May 19, 2012, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by spotismydog

My Ryobi spinner head does not turn all the time. I replaced the shaft insert on it as the good one had a round on the upper part of it. Any ideas why my trimmer head doesn't turn? Is it in the trimmer head or perhaps in the top part? Thanks for any help.

I'm having the same problem. I have a straight shaft gas ryobi.
I've replaced the main shaft.
I can get the head spinning for a second but there is no resistance to it cutting or hitting the ground.
There is a lot of play in the square rod up and down so if doesn't look like the rod is staying seeded in the hole.
Could the spring that pushed on the rod from the engine side need to be replaced in order to keep pressure on the rod?