Honda starter problem

I have a Honda HR214 mower. It never had a problem until the other day when I gave it a pull and the rope broke. I removed the starter assembly off the top of the engine, removed the broken end which was very short and slotted the rope back in to the plastic wheel and tied a knot. After reattaching the assembly the mower started right up. Problem is the rope no longer recoils back into the assembly. I have had it apart and looked at it a dozen times and cant figure out what Im missing. Any ideas? If it will help I can take and then post a photo of the assembly.
Jamie

Jamie, welcome to the forum I am happy you joined us.

A photo of it would be great. I try to visualize it before my eyes but am not really succeeding

Perhaps the cord has become shorter after it snapped? Could that be?

Hello Jeffie,
Thanks for writing back so soon. I took a bunch of photos in various stages of assembly. It seems I can only post one on here. If you send me your email I can send you several more. Also I tried to wind up the spool prior to attaching the rope. It would only turn a few turns and still had no spring back. I also tried turning it the opposite direction but that did not work either. Note that the recoil worked fine before the rope broke. Also the rope broke within two inches from the knot end. The length is inconsequential, there is still plenty left to be able to start the mower. There is absolutely no recoil at all. I dont see how to load the mechanism at all because there is nothing that would hold it in place (torqued up) with the exception of the handle on the rope contacting the metal housing.

Jeffie,
I wasnt even able to post one picture because the image size was too large. I can email several as smaller images to your email address.
Jamie

OK, I was able to compress one of the photos down below 250k. This is the starter mechanism removed, upside down with all parts intact.

If you guys figured this out please post the solution. I have the very same problem with an HR214. Can't figure out how to re-assemble the pull rope mechanism so it returns via spring action. arghhh!

I gave up trying to fix the original starter assembly. I ended up buying a brand new starter assembly online (I think on Ebay). It wasnt expensive and it installs easily. Now the mower works fine again.

Well, I kept plugging away at it and got the thing back together and it works. It's important to get the spring wound in the right direction. When you have the very top of the assembly turned upside down and your looking down at it, the outside catch on the spring attaches at the right side of the notch. The trick is getting the other end of the spring attached to the plastic spool and winding the spring up enough so you can get the outside end attached to the metal assembly notch (again, right side) and then get the spool completely seated on the shaft (the spring has to fit in the recessed area in the metal assembly). You then wind the spool up, putting tension on the spring, clamp it with the hole for the rope aligned with the opening in the metal top assembly, install the rope, and the little plastic clutch mechanism, spring, special large metal washer and bolt.
Turn it over and bolt it down on the mower. I had the spring going the wrong way the first time I tried it. It ain't easy until you've done it, like a lot of things.

I must have tried it 2 dozen times. Whenever I got it back together so it appeared right, and even operated by itself, it wouldnt operate correctly on the mower. I just gave up and paid the few dollars for a new one. It was so easy. Anyway glad to hear you got it working. If it does not hold up, spring (lol) for a new one.