Stihl RM545 drive cable

[Changy]

I've worked on several of these machines, and their cable setup is frustrating. The mower is fine provided you don't fold the handle down; something they are supposed to do! One of my regular clients has to fold the handle to travel between jobs, and when he does, the drive cable pops out of the gearbox. I've tried to secure the cable but it doesn't help.

Any ideas on what else I can try?

[Mick]

Hi.  I agree the cable setup isn't good on these machines.

Does it have the correct cable fitted, as it shouldn't pull on the cable when folding the handles. There's so many different cables for these machines, some only about an inch or two different in length it's easy to get the wrong one. The dealer must look up the cable using all the numbers on the serial sticker to make sure.

I've never had to do this, but if it is the right one and the correct length etc you could try fitting some sort of cable clamp just to the cable under the hole in the deck to stop it pulling on it.

[Changy]

I used the machine's details from the sticker and the cable came from a Stihl-authorised supplier. I have ordered a new cable guide and will check how the user is folding the handles.

[Mick]

Ahh yes the little cable guide might well help if it's broken or missing, cable might be getting hooked up on the handle tube when folding. 

Regarding obtaining a cable through the correct methods, there is occasionally a slip up even with an authorised dealer. It always pays to check the new cables against the old ones before fitting.   

[Changy]

I always measure them now if I have the old cable. I once ordered a genuine Hyundai using the machine details and it was six inches short and had the wrong fittings!

Once bitten...