I'm working on rebuilding my honda recon recoil starter and I just can't get it to retract properly. I have replaced the guide ratchet and inspected everything and it looks good. The ratchet starter, part # 28422-ZE1-003 engages properly but when retracting it pushes out the other end and catches. Any ideas?

 

Recoil starters are a bit of a black art to fix, any Lawnmower mechanic can do it but each make is slightly different and has traps for the unwary. The ratchet can go on upside down so be sure it is the right way round. The plastic guide 28433-HN5-MO1 has to be in the right relation to the ratchet too. Finally one thing common to all, the pulley needs to almost coil bound the spring when the rope is fully pulled out, less than one turn left, is usual for them.