Craftsman Weed whacker on thr fritz (clutch???)

[keegs]

I have a Sears weed whacker. I bought it in 1996. The engine runs fine but there's something going on with the business end.

The string spool spins but it sounds like it's spinning at two speeds ..(when it's cutting weeds and when it's not). Also the string spool retainer nut doesn't come off. It won't back off and it's slipping as I try.

Any ideas? Could it be the clutch? If so how hard is to to replace?

 

[keegs]

It turned out to be a stripped string spool. I replaced the spool just last year with an OEM part from Sears. I didn't expect it to go bad so soon. The first one lasted well over 10 years. Shipping included, that part cost me $50.

HD had an Echo universal replacement string spool for $25. Somewhat different design but it fits and so I'm back in bidness now.