Husqvarna 550XP Starter Pawl and Spring Kit (Mark II)

This Husqvarna 550XP starter pawl and spring kit for the Mark II replaces the small spring-loaded pawls that catch the starter pulley and turn the engine. When pawls wear or springs weaken, the cord pulls freely without cranking the saw.

What the pawls do

When you pull the starter cord, the pulley catches spring-loaded pawls on the flywheel and spins the engine. Once the saw fires, the pawls fling out of the way. Over time the pawl tips round over and the springs weaken, so the pulley slips or engages only some of the time.

If your 550XP Mark II starter pulls with no resistance and the engine does not turn, look here first.

Cold weather and old, gummy grease can make pawls stick, so cleaning the flywheel area is part of the fix. Sawdust packed around the pawls also blocks the cooling air the engine needs.

Fitting the kit

Remove the starter cover to expose the flywheel, clean out sawdust and grime, and replace the pawls and springs as a set. Make sure each pawl pivots freely and snaps back. A clean flywheel area also keeps the cooling fins working.

Inspect the starter pulley teeth that the pawls catch on. If they are rounded or chipped, replace the pulley at the same time so the new pawls have something solid to grab.

Confirm the part number against your saw's model and serial plate or the manufacturer's parts lookup before ordering, since parts can change between production runs. See more 550XP parts in the parts section.