Is there an easy way to attach a new pull rope? What tools are you guys using?

Is there an easy way to attach a new pull rope? What tools are you guys using?

What make/model of starter are you working on? On all of the starters I repair,just a nice pair of electronic needle nose pliers that have like a 30 degree bend works well,along with a home-made "Toadstabber" that you can make by cutting about an 8 inch piece of wire from an old throttle cable inner wire.Put that into a vice after sharpening the end like a nail,and tap a section of wood dowel into it an inch or sofor the handle.
This will help feed the rope thru the guide in the housing,and also the pulley.I believe they have a how-to in the Briggs manual for making it,too.

Steve

Since you didn't post what engine this is for;
Remove the engine schroud or the recoil assembly or whatever so the assembly is removed from the engine and still assembled, now turn the recoil in the direction it would travel as if you were pulling on the rope, when you can't turn it any more back it off until the hole in the housing and the hole in the pulley align now hold it there and feed the new rope through the housing and pulley, tie a knot in the rope and let go of the pulley and it will rewind itself, reassemble and you are done. Have a good one. Geo

It is a 130202 horiz 5hp briggs. To be more specific, I always have a hard time trying to stick the rope thru the pulley, it always wants to bend. Just wondering if there is a tool or trade secret that you guys use. I have re-roped dozens, but it is always a struggle for me.

What is a Toadstabber?

I have used a torch to lightly heat the rope this melts it a bit which makes it a little less likely to bend. Is it possible to come from the other side with a wire and pull it through.
Dean

I have been putting ropes in starters for a very long time, and I do it the way dean suggested, I heat the rope with a lighter or torch and I use an old rag to smooth it out into a taper, then I just slide it through the hole (usually on the first try).

Best of Luck....

It is a 130202 horiz 5hp briggs. To be more specific, I always have a hard time trying to stick the rope thru the pulley, it always wants to bend. Just wondering if there is a tool or trade secret that you guys use. I have re-roped dozens, but it is always a struggle for me.

What is a Toadstabber?

That's what my old boss used to call it.............. It's just a handy homemade
tool that you can make by using about an 8 inch piece of old throttle cable solid inner wire,and sharpen the ends,then putting it into a vice with just a little poking out,pound a wooden dowel on it,rechucking it up between taps,so now it's got a handle.It works well for fishing wires and ropes thru.then make another one,but this time bend a hooked end on it,and that works nice to fish out fuel filters/lines one 2-cycle units.On starter repairs,it's important that you make sure that the rope guide isn't worn thru in 1 spot,or it'll shred a new rope right away.On a lot of steel starter housings,if you use a really sharp vice grip,you can grip the guide,and get it rotated to a new,unused spot to avoid having to replace the costly housing.THe vice grip or Knipex pliers needs to have like-new teeth to grip,since you only have like 1 shot to do it.That's why I bought the relabled vice grips that Sears sells,so when they start getting dinged up,you can exchange them hassle free for a fresh pair.Also,it's important to always be sure that after you extend the rope all the way out,that you can keep turning the starter pulley another turn,so the starter spring does'nt coil bind and pull out,or break.Just thought I'd pass these tips along.

Take care,
Steve

If you do use the fire method try not to over heat it. If it starts to melt it is difficult to tie the knot at the end. But I guess if you have enough the melted part can be cut off.
Dean