How to fix Ryobi line trimmer?

[raylea]

Hi , got an electric Ryobi (corded not battery) RLT1238, appears the line spooler is spinning (high rpm) but not cutting any grass, and when undoing the knob at end of shaft (looking up, bottom of unit rotate anti clockwise) think it lwould normaly lock so you can undo the round knob to take the line spool off, but now appears to spin freely in anti clockwise directions so you cant undo it. Sometimes the bolt in plastic knob casing gets hot and melts or wears out the plastic hexagonal recess in the knob and spins freely but i replaced the spooler and knob so its not that. Suspect its geared so it might have broken or burnt out at the electric motor end  or shaft has snapped. Anyone know what meaning and come accross this issue? sounds counter intuitive to throw the thing in rubbish and spend another $200-330 for new line trimmer, when it might be able to repair it myself(no its not under warranty). Im thinking the shaft hasn't broken but some kind of gear locking mechanism has broken? parts diagram? exploded view? anyone? 

[EricL]

Hello @raylea 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your line trimmer.

Reading your description, it sounds like there is a mechanical problem inside your line trimmer. I can only suggest bringing it to a lawn mower repair shop and making sure that their shop services Ryobi products. I did find a diagram of your line trimmer and have placed it below. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good evening @raylea 

Apart from the things you have mentioned I would be stepping into an unknown zone One way to learn is to dismantle it down to the diagram @EricL has found but my first step wouyld be to take it to your local mower shop as they generally know hgow to repair it (and may have the spare parts you might need) If the quote is too high, then thats that point of dismantling

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @raylea 

It's a little difficult to understand the chain of events sorry. What you're describing doesn't sound like it's assembled correctly especially as you state the bump knob is melting and wears out. This indicates you have replaced it on more than one occasion which should almost never occur.

That centre bump knob will free-spin unless to depress it down then turn it. So, to remove it you must depress while turning it anti-clockwise. But you state it's melted and worn out.

If the bump head (see red arrow) can free spin in either direction, then it's either misassembled or the centre flexible shaft has broken. This would be a very rare situation and would normally only occur if the pump head was replaced with a metal blade.

You also mention the bump head is spinning and the line is extended out, so, I can't understand why it wouldn't be trimming the grass? Can the entire bump head freely spin? If so that indicates a broken centre shaft.

It would help a lot of you could provide photos of the spool in place then laid out in order of dismantle to see if its been assembled correctly and to understand the issues.

Nailbag