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I just spent about 3 hours last night trying to get a recoil spring wound and placed in a Toro Leaf Blower.

I've been trying to keep it tight by using vice grips, needle nose pliers, even made a jig out of a block of wood and some plastic pegs.

I'm looking for pictures of ideas you've put together that work.

I've done my share of recoil springs but, this one is kickin my backside.

I guess the trickiest part of this one is the spring mounts in the top of the cap that's about an inch down from the rim.

I've even though of drilling some small holes and running wires thru the top to hold the spring in place while I wind it.

Any ideas would be helpful. I really hate to let the little machines win..

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=parts for toro leaf blower shop for best deal & purchase a new one.

I usually wind it inside the starter housing. So no vice grips

Grease your fingers grab loose spring. Stating on the outside of the housing hook the spring in. Twist housing while pushing in sections of the spring until done. Of your fingers are greased it gets grease between each layer of spring (I use marine grease) helps block moisture from washing away grease and causing dry spring.

mechanic mark said:

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=parts for toro leaf blower shop for best deal & purchase a new one.

Click to expand...

I bought this blower for $7.00 with the purpose to get it back together and sell it for a profit.

I was able to find a large prescription pill bottle that fit almost perfectly in the area where the spring goes. I cut the bottom out of the pill bottle, then cut a 1/2 round out of the pill bottle. I then made a slit about a 1/4 in the edge of the pill bottle to hold the bent part of the spring that keeps it anchored in the housing.

I put the bent part in the slot, then started winding the spring into the bottle from the outside in..

Once I got it all in the way it was supposed to be, I slid the pill bottle down into the hole with the 1/4" slit down so the bent part would lock into the holder. I then slowly pushed the whole spring in at one time working carefully around the edges until it was seated in the housing.

I was then able to lift the pill bottle ring right up and out of the housing and put the pull cord, handle and winder right onto the top of the spring.

It started on the 3rd pull and runs like a champ.

Sure, it took a heck of a lot longer than I expected but, I learned something and now I have a decent blower that I already have on Craigslist, advertised for $60.00.

Most of the recoil springs get fed into a metal tray that fits in the housing. I don't know if it was misplaced by the original owner or never had one. Doesn't need one as far as I can see. I shut it off and started it quite a few times to make sure it's good to go.

exotion said:

I usually wind it inside the starter housing. So no vice grips

Grease your fingers grab loose spring. Stating on the outside of the housing hook the spring in. Twist housing while pushing in sections of the spring until done. Of your fingers are greased it gets grease between each layer of spring (I use marine grease) helps block moisture from washing away grease and causing dry spring.

Click to expand...

I like the idea of using grease.. Should save my thumbs some wear and tear trying to keep the spring together and not trying to overlap itself at inopportune moments.

Thanks!