I have a Stihl FS85 trimmer. The spring in the recoil starter broke a couple of weeks ago. I robbed a starter unit from a now-dead blower and continued to work. When getting some other parts, I bought a spring for the recoil unit.
After taking apart the starter, I took out the old one. The new one came tightly coiled, wrapped with a small wire keeping it in shape.
I knew the spring was subject to expansion when the wire was removed. I carefully put the spring in the case, and, using a plier, pulled off the restraining wire. I am not sure what happened, but, BOING!!!! The spring came out of the case. Now, what to do to get it back in the case?
I tried for more than an hour, perhaps more like two hours. But, to no avail. I had somebody help me, but even with four hands, the spring remains expanded, out of the case.
I even tried to wrap it tight enough to put the restraining wire around the coil. But, I was unable to get to that point either. The wire was undamaged when I removed it.
My simple question: How can I get this spring back into the case?
Below are a couple of pics. The first one is of the broken spring. The second pics is the new one, but in the expanded shape. The restraining wire is also in the pic (in the front of the image).
I attempted this repair yesterday morning, while waiting for turf and leaves to dry out after some rain overnight. But, in the afternoon, I was able to get out to work. On the second lawn, I attempted to start the trimmer (with the substitute starter), and the spring in this starter broke too! So, now I have two starters with broken springs. In all fairness, both starters have seen long and heavy service, so having the springs break is not out of ordinary.
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After taking apart the starter, I took out the old one. The new one came tightly coiled, wrapped with a small wire keeping it in shape.
I knew the spring was subject to expansion when the wire was removed. I carefully put the spring in the case, and, using a plier, pulled off the restraining wire. I am not sure what happened, but, BOING!!!! The spring came out of the case. Now, what to do to get it back in the case?
I tried for more than an hour, perhaps more like two hours. But, to no avail. I had somebody help me, but even with four hands, the spring remains expanded, out of the case.
I even tried to wrap it tight enough to put the restraining wire around the coil. But, I was unable to get to that point either. The wire was undamaged when I removed it.
My simple question: How can I get this spring back into the case?
Below are a couple of pics. The first one is of the broken spring. The second pics is the new one, but in the expanded shape. The restraining wire is also in the pic (in the front of the image).
I attempted this repair yesterday morning, while waiting for turf and leaves to dry out after some rain overnight. But, in the afternoon, I was able to get out to work. On the second lawn, I attempted to start the trimmer (with the substitute starter), and the spring in this starter broke too! So, now I have two starters with broken springs. In all fairness, both starters have seen long and heavy service, so having the springs break is not out of ordinary.
