MS360 Brake Handle broke

[drf255]

I've broken 2 OEM 066 brake handles in the same exact spot, and I'm not terribly rough on them.

 

[Wood Doctor]

I walked into a Stihl dealer's repair shop last year at their invitation so that I could meet the senior mechanic. A standout feature I saw lying all over the place was broken chain brake handles. They were everywhere.

 

[Nine6Teen]

well I got her back together, with OEM handle. and I made myself a tool to get the spring on the stud. Let's hope she lasts.

 

[drf255]

For us old guys here that remember doing drum brakes....

The 2 sided tool for adjusting the star nut and popping the springs on works great for the Stihl brake spring.

Available for cheap at any auto parts store.

 

[Nine6Teen]

one last comment on the broken Brake Handle. Upon examining the fracture surface, it appears the plastic is partially melted. The proximity to the exhaust makes me think that the heat from the exhaust may have partially melted the handle, and combined with the stresses induced by operation, the plastic failed.

 

[Wood Doctor]

Hmm... The muffler's exhaust port is far forward from that position on the chain brake. Unless there is a hole in the muffler near the same area, I doubt there would ever be enough heat to cause this.