Cummins/Onan — Readi-Pull Starter Rope or Recoil Spring Installation
Repair & overhaul · manual starter
From a Cummins/Onan service manual — check it applies to your exact model before use.
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Before you start
- The recoil spring can uncoil violently if released. Be extremely careful when disassembling and reassembling the starter recoil mechanism.
Procedure
- Remove starter from mounting ring by removing four clamping screws.
- To install new rope, rotate sheave with crankshaft rotation direction to fully tighten spring, back up to align hole in sheave with slot in cover.
- Clamp rope to sheave; when released, rope will wind on sheave.
- To install new recoil spring, remove sheave from cover.
- Wind spring with rivet heads outward forming a coil small enough to insert in cover recess.
- Tie spring with wire to prevent unwinding if needed.
- Place spring in cover recess in crankshaft rotation direction; remove tying wire.
- Hold spring to prevent unwinding; install inside end on roll pin in cover.
- With pull rope removed, install sheave assembly so tab enters outside end loop of recoil spring; ensure thrust washer is in place.
- Install pull rope.
Source: Cummins/Onan service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.