How to Replace a Starter Cord on a John Deere Lawn Mower

Inspect the rope housing for the mower. You will need a socket or a screwdriver to loosen the bolts or screws that are holding the rope in place.
Observe the metal wheel. The other half of the rope will be coiled around this wheel, which acts as a pulley for the mower. Using a wrench, loosen the bolt that holds the wheel in place. When the wheel is pulled off, the winding spring which coils the rope automatically will come off with it.
Pull the old rope off. Cut the rope off using a knife as there will most likely be a knot. Remember which way the rope is coiled around the pulley; you will install the new rope in the same way.
Tie the new rope to the wheel. Next, wrap the rope around the wheel. Place the wheel back on to the mower, bolt it in place and tighten. To ensure that it is working properly before you reinstall the housing, pull lightly on the rope to make sure it pulls and then slowly let it wind back up.
Take the end of the rope and pull it through the hole of the housing where the original rope was. If the new rope does not include a new pull handle, take the old one and tie to the end of the rope. Sometimes the new rope will be longer than the old rope; you can cut to fit in this scenario.
Place the coil housing back on and screw it in place.

John Deere Lawnmowers