How do I replace the starter rope on a Weedeater Featherlite Plus weed trimmer

SOURCE: WeedEater Edger PE550 Starter Rope will not recoil

Order a new recoil spring from your suppier. It comes wound up. Remove the old part first usually four screws on the outside. Make sure the rope is fully wound then insert the new spring and reassamble. If it becomes unwound by mistake its a labourious job to rewind but can be done.

SOURCE: how to take apart pull rope for weedeater edger

If the recoil is in the front, the engine has to be removed for access to the pull start assm. Start taking the bolts out in the back and work your way forward. Use a coffee can or a large pan to hold the bolts. You will use hex key drivers that are like the allen key sets. The hand grip with the throttle trigger holds the front of the housing. The grip has two coarse threaded cap screws which hold it to the shaft. Before you tear it all down, try shooting some wd40 or similar down in around where the pawls grab the flywheel. Maybe the drum is just stuck against the flywheel and after a little lube will free up and be ok?

SOURCE: need to replace the recoil

Hi glmottet,
This sounds like the dogs on the starter pulley might be worn out, broken or some other part of the starter assembly might be at fault.
You have to remove the whole assembly from the trimmer. There are usually 4 screws holding that on. Before you remove that, unhook the throttle cable from the carburetor throttle plate. Hold the throttle wide open to give you some slack and try to unhook the cable. You sometimes have to loosen the carb bolts to do this. After the 4 screws are removed the whole bottom part comes off so be careful, because you have to disconnect the 2 on off switch wires that go to the engine, they just slide off. You now have everything in the open. Check the bolt holding the pulley in place to make sure it is tight enough as this could be the whole problem. Pull on the starter chord to see if the dogs extend out to grab the flywheel to turn it. Look for springs or the dogs that might be broken. You might also check the flywheel itself for wear. I think when you see everything you will get the way this system works, it is a very simple part of the starting system. Get back to me for any questions you might have. Good luck. Denis.