Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Troy-bilt string trimmer, vise grip pliers, rope thread

Question
My trimmer pull rope has come out and will not go back in. tried to get to it but could not remove the cover on the clutch. is there a site or a way it has to come off,. thanks  

Answer
Remove the recoil shroud and take a look at the assembly.
You might have a broken spring or just a rope that has slipped out of the
reel.
The spring usually breaks at one of the end tabs. If so, you will need to
get a replacement spring and carefully wind that in, before re-assembling
the rope reel. You might wish to replace the rope also, if it shows signs
of wear. Below is my proceedure for replacing a broken recoil rope.

You will need to remove the entire cooling shroud. There should be 4 bolts
on the sides. You might need to remove the fuel tank also.
Pre-wind the recoil reel by hand [about 6 turns, to set the spring
tension] and clamp it with Vise-Grip pliers. Remove the old rope. Thread
the new rope through the shroud housing eyelet and to the reel hub. Let
the reel re-wind itself until it is full. If there is not enough spring
tension you can wind it a couple of turns more by slipping the rope around
between the reel and shroud. Re-clamp the reel. Cut the rope to length and
thread it though the handle. At all knots, burn and melt the rope with a
lighter to prevent untying. Re-assemble.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael