How to Replace the Thrust Washer on a Ryobi Trimmer

String trimmer out of whack? It's time to face the fix. Whether you are a legendary landscaper or a weekend weed whacker, eReplacementParts.com provides the parts, procedures and facts you need to fearlessly fix what fails you.

The thrust washer is a nylon washer that provides a bearing surface between the trimmer head (the outer spool) and the reel and line assembly (the inner spool). Without the thrust washer, friction between these two plastic components would eventually generate enough heat to melt and/or fuse them together. This article provides step-by-step instructions for removing and installing the thrust washer on a Ryobi trimmer.

Let's get started.

  REMOVING THE THRUST WASHER [top] 1. Remove the reel and line assembly.

Unscrew (and remove) the bump head knob.

Remove the reel and line assembly.

  2. Remove the thrust washer.

Use a pick or small screwdriver to disengage (and remove) the C-clip from the shaft.

Remove the plunger.

Remove the plunger spring.

Use split-ring pliers to disengage (and remove) the E-clip from the shaft.

Remove the slider.

Remove the slider springs.

Use a pick or small screwdriver to pry the thrust washer out of the trimmer head.

  INSTALLING THE NEW THRUST WASHER [top] 3. Install the thrust washer.

Install the new thrust washer into the trimmer head.

Use a pick or screwdriver to press around the edges of the thrust washer; seating it in the retaining groove.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 4. Reinstall the slider.

Install the (2) slider springs into the recesses in the plastic housing.

Install the slider onto the shaft.

Use split-ring pliers to install the E-clip and secure the slider.

  5. Reinstall the plunger.

Install the plunger spring onto the shaft.

Install the plunger onto the shaft. Note that the angled edges of the plunger should align with the angled edges of the slider.

Depress the plunger against the slider until the groove for the C-clip becomes visible on the metal shaft.

Use long-nosed pliers to install the C-clip into the groove on the metal shaft (and secure the plunger).

  6. Reinstall the reel and line assembly.

Note that the reel assembly contains an assortment of clips (cut-outs) for holding the line in place. The V-shaped clips are designed to hold line in place for longer periods of time (such as storing pre-wound reels). The L-shaped clips are designed to temporarily hold the line in place for installation of the reel assembly.

Rewind the spool until approximately 6 inches of line remains exposed for each of the two lanes. Clip the exposed line into the L-shaped channels on each side of the reel.

Thread the lines through the metal eyelets on the spool (one line per eyelet). The lines should pass from the inside of the spool to the outside.

Install the reel assembly onto the shaft.

Once the reel is seated within the outer spool, gently tug on the two lines to free them from the temporary clips.

  7. Reinstall the bump head knob assembly.

Install the bump head knob assembly onto the shaft.

Compress the spring while rotating the bump head knob until the internal threads engage.

Continue rotating the bump head knob until the assembly is hand-tight.

You don't have to leverage your savings to level your lawns. As you just learned, repairing your own equipment is easy when you follow our step-by-step guides. Not only did you restore trimmer functionality at a fraction of the cost of replacement; you have taken the edge off of future repairs, wherever you may find them.

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