Hey everyone. New to the site. Usually I can find the answers I need to questions like this just by searching long and hard enough in these sorts of places. Not this time though. So here I am.
My question is regarding the removal and replacement of the front handle on a Stihl MS261, as the title implies. I'm only looking to replace a damaged handle with a new one. I'm not looking to install something different than the factory standard. In fact, the new part has already been bought. Now it's just a matter of removing the damaged one and getting this new one on. Should be a simple task right? Well, it's not looking so simple at the moment. This is hopefully where you guys come in, so here's my question for anyone familiar with this particular saw and handle situation...
Is there any easy way to remove and install a front handle on a Stihl MS261? Because, right now it looks like the only way to do it involves splitting the whole saw in half, right down to possibly dealing with engine gaskets. This, just to get a new handle on. I mean, it looks like there's room for some shortcut, but if there is I'm not seeing it yet. The problem lies with the vibration absorber on the bottom where it looks like you can't get the handle off or on the spring or foam plug without splitting the saw in half. I don't want to damage the foam plug or the spring... or the body of the saw either obviously. Just doesn't look like I can compress the spring enough to get the handle off the foam plug. And the damaged handle doesn't afford me enough wiggle room to thread it off the spring.
If it turns out there is no trick to make this job easier then I feel the best option is just to send the saw in, even though the new handle has already been purchased. I don't want to possibly deal with engine and tank gaskets just to get a new handle on. Assuming it really is this much trouble, it's a poor design choice in terms of easy repairs. Although, in terms of getting you to send your saw in to a possible Stihl repair professional, perhaps it's a smart design.
Thanks in advance you guys. Hopefully this thread can help someone like me find their answers without having to ask the questions.
My question is regarding the removal and replacement of the front handle on a Stihl MS261, as the title implies. I'm only looking to replace a damaged handle with a new one. I'm not looking to install something different than the factory standard. In fact, the new part has already been bought. Now it's just a matter of removing the damaged one and getting this new one on. Should be a simple task right? Well, it's not looking so simple at the moment. This is hopefully where you guys come in, so here's my question for anyone familiar with this particular saw and handle situation...
Is there any easy way to remove and install a front handle on a Stihl MS261? Because, right now it looks like the only way to do it involves splitting the whole saw in half, right down to possibly dealing with engine gaskets. This, just to get a new handle on. I mean, it looks like there's room for some shortcut, but if there is I'm not seeing it yet. The problem lies with the vibration absorber on the bottom where it looks like you can't get the handle off or on the spring or foam plug without splitting the saw in half. I don't want to damage the foam plug or the spring... or the body of the saw either obviously. Just doesn't look like I can compress the spring enough to get the handle off the foam plug. And the damaged handle doesn't afford me enough wiggle room to thread it off the spring.
If it turns out there is no trick to make this job easier then I feel the best option is just to send the saw in, even though the new handle has already been purchased. I don't want to possibly deal with engine and tank gaskets just to get a new handle on. Assuming it really is this much trouble, it's a poor design choice in terms of easy repairs. Although, in terms of getting you to send your saw in to a possible Stihl repair professional, perhaps it's a smart design.
Thanks in advance you guys. Hopefully this thread can help someone like me find their answers without having to ask the questions.
. Two screws on the side then two screws underneath front of saw, then twist the handle and free it from the AV spring. To install the new one do it all in reverse. No need to split cases and replace gaskets!lol but if you like you could strip the whole saw down but four screws and a bit of fiddling is all that's required. Hint: the AV spring is not fixed to the case....it all comes off, just look at it and think.
