Help with Stihl 011 AVT Starter pulley engagement

[Mogman]

Hi guys-
I have a Stihl 011 AVT that needed a new starter rope pulley and rope. Installed the new rope onto the new pulley with no issues. But the manual states that you can just rock the pulley back and forth until the return spring catches in the slot/cutout. I've tried that for 40 minutes and then tried some other things like manually pulling the end of the spring into the cutout thinking I could then place the pulley onto the shaft - ha! All that did is unwind my clock spring. Sigh. Well, the clock spring is back in place, but I still have No idea how to get the spring to catch on the cutout. Ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[HarleyT]

Sounds like your spring end is a little out of shape, and may need a slight adjustment/bend inward.

 

[atpchas]

What Harley said. Your spring should look something like this.

 

[Mogman]

So, I was reading from the SM on page 36 where it talks about turning the rotor to and fro to engage the rewind spring, but is it better to remove the clock spring, engage it in the rotor, and then try and place the whole assembly into the housing?

 

[Mogman]

Here is a picture on my actual spring in place.

 

[L34]

Spring end needs bending closer to the rotor axel

 

[Mogman]

Thanks guys. That did indeed fix the problem! Take care,