- 1). Open the fuel tank and empty its contents into the fuel canister. Start the engine and let it run out of gas; this will allow you to safely work on the engine. Unscrew the throttle control handle --- the rear handle --- and remove the throttle, trigger, and ignition switch from the shaft.
- 2). Unhook the throttle cable, a thin metal wire that runs from the trigger to the carburetor, from the side of the carburetor with the needle-nosed pliers. Disconnect the two ignition lead switches from the underside of the trimmer. Pull the two wires from their connecting points with the pliers.
- 3). Unscrew the mounting bolts surrounding the shaft on the power head. Tug the shaft straight back and free of the engine. Pull up on the spark plug's rubber boot, on top of the engine, and remove it from the tip of the plug. Set the 5/8-inch socket into the wrench and remove the plug from the engine.
- 4). Roll off about 10 inches of starter rope from the pulley. Insert the rope into the hole where the spark plug was. Feed the line gently and slowly into the cylinder. Pull up on the pulley to move the piston into its upward stroke and pull up until it contacts and stops against the rope; you'll feel tension, but don't over-pull the pulley.
- 5). Turn the clutch's center bolt counterclockwise with the socket wrench to loosen it. Lift the bolt off the stub and pull the clutch drum away from the clutch assembly. Attach the adjustable spanner wrench to the two clutch bolts and take both bolts off. Separate the clutch plates and lift them off the engine.
- 6). Inspect clutch drum for signs of wearing. Inspect the clutch plates for signs of wearing and cracking. Replace if necessary and reinstall all clutch parts in reverse sequence to their removal.
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