How To Fix A Weed Eater That Won’t Spin

A weed eater that stops working suddenly is a very common problem.

There can be several possible reasons why this problem occurs, but some of the causes are more well-known and frequent. I've compiled this guide taking into account most of the issues that can cause a weed eater to stop spinning, along with the best solutions for them. 

It will help you fix any problem quickly without much effort. So, let’s begin!

Common Causes That Prevent Spinning

Before fixing the problem, you first need to understand the reasons that might cause your weed eater to stop spinning. 

1. Clutch Failure 

Weed eaters generally have a centrifugal clutch that engages the drive shafts attached to the trimmer head. However, once the clutch assembly wears out, it cannot engage the drive shafts for rotating the trimmer head. 

2. Broken Drive Shaft 

The driveshaft is a long and flexible shaft that connects the clutch to the trimmer head. If it gets broken, the string trimmer head will not spin. 

Possible Solutions 

The viable solutions depend on the problems that the weed eater may have. There may even be more than one issue with the device, but you can use my techniques to fix the weed eater at home without any hassle. 

1. Cleaning The Weed Eater 

The first and foremost thing to do is to clean the device. Your weed eater might have gathered some debris and weed over the years that prevent the head from spinning. 

2. Servicing The Clutch And Drive Shaft 

Compared to other damaged parts such as the throttle cable or trimmer head, replacing a damaged clutch is relatively easy and can be done at home. The first step is to turn it off and remove the spark plug before letting the machine cool off. 

Then, disengage the throttle lever from the handle using needle-nose pliers and remove the handle housing. Following that, remove the screws holding the housing to the driveshaft and pry the handle apart. Once the clutch cover is removed, remove the clutch plate by unscrewing it from the flywheel. 

Assemble the new clutch by reversing the steps you followed for removing the broken one and putting the driveshaft back in place, ensuring that it sits securely. After this, hook the throttle cable to the throttle lever, which will be connected to the driveshaft, and replace the handle housing to complete the process. 

Final Words