Stihl MS180C Chainsaw Trigger Repair

Stihl MS180C Chainsaw Trigger Repair
Stihl MS180C Chainsaw Trigger Repair

I borrowed my friend’s Stihl MS180C chainsaw and while using it I broke the trigger.  It wasn’t completely broken, just a piece broke off from the back of the trigger, which interlocks the trigger with the safety button on the top of the handle. I wanted to return it to the same condition in which it was loaned to me so I went to work at fixing it.  I was able to use JB Weld to repair the trigger but in the process of reinstalling it, the trigger/throttle linkage wire came disconnected from the throttle.  You cannot see how to reconnect it without digging into the chainsaw.  Here’s a picture of the broken chainsaw throttle trigger:

Broken throttle trigger
Broken throttle trigger

Read on if you would like to learn about my Stihl MS180C Chainsaw trigger repair.

Stihl MS180C Chainsaw Trigger Repair

Hardware:

Parts Needed:

Tools Required:

Step 1: Remove the top cover.

It is a lot easier to work on if you remove the top (orange) cover.  It doesn’t even require any tools to remove.  Push down on the choke while lifting up on the cover.

Removing the top cover of the chainsaw
Push down on the choke and lift up on the cover

It is hinged on the blade-side edge and once you lift the handle end up, you can simply pull the cover towards you and it will come off.

Lifting the front edge of the top chainsaw cover
Lift the front edge of the cover

Here you can see the places on the cover that hook into the body of the chainsaw (one is a post and one is a hook):

Location of hooks on top cover of chainsaw
Location of hooks on top cover

Here is where they are seated into the top of the chainsaw:

Place where top cover hooks into on the body
Place where top cover hooks into on the body

Step 2: Open up the chainsaw handle.

Lay the chainsaw on the right side.  There are two T20 torx head screws that secure the side of the handle compartment that encloses the trigger mechanism.  I forgot to take a picture of the handle assembled but here you can see the two screw locations and the handle opened up:

Disassembling the handle
Disassembling the handle

Step 3: Remove the interlock spring.

You can pull the throttle trigger straight off the post on which it pivots but it is easier if you first disconnect the spring from the safety interlock.  Simply untuck the end of the spring from the notch in which it is installed:

Safety interlock spring removal diagram
Remove the safety interlock spring from where it is seated

Step 4: Remove the trigger.

Remove the trigger by lifting it straight up and off the post on which it rotates on.  Here are the pieces:

Broken throttle trigger pieces
Broken throttle trigger pieces

Step 4: Fix your trigger (optional).

I cleaned my trigger, taped the bottom side to hold it together, scratched the surfaces that the epoxy would touch with the tip of an Exacto knife, and then filled the space with JB Weld.  This is what it looked like when it was done:

Repaired throttle trigger
Repaired throttle trigger

I also ordered a replacement trigger off of Ebay as a backup in case my repair didn’t hold.  It has held so far though.

Step 5: Reconnect the throttle linkage.

When I was trying to reinstall the trigger, the throttle linkage became disconnected.  You cannot see where to reconnect it without disassembling part of the chainsaw.  I finally figured out how to reconnect it and here is how:

Stihl MS 180C Throttle Linkage
Throttle Linkage

Step 5a: Remove the throttle body nuts.

The throttle body, i.e the black box that houses the air filter, is in the way of you reconnecting the throttle linkage.  Remove these two 8mm nuts:

Throttle body nut locations
Throttle body nut locations

Step 5b: Disconnect the choke linkage.

Ss you pull the throttle body straight off, you will need disconnect the choke linkage. Rotate the arm counter-clockwise until the slot lines up with the wire and then lift the wire linkage out:

Diagram of how to disconnect the choke linkage
Disconnect the choke linkage

The wire linkage will pull straight up and out at this point but it is not necessary to remove it.  You can refer to my images above to see where the other end goes if yours comes out.

Choke Linkage Disconnected
Choke Linkage Disconnected

Step 5c: Pull the throttle body straight off.

Pull the throttle body straight off in the direction the bolts point (the bolts which you earlier removed the nuts):

Removing the throttle body
Removing the throttle body

Here is a picture of the throttle body removed:

Throttle body removed
Throttle body removed.

Set the throttle body aside.

Step 5d: Reconnect the throttle linkage.

 

Reconnecting the throttle linkage
Reconnecting the throttle linkage

If you put the linkage into place you can rotate it into the fork as shown below:

Linkage connecting steps
Linkage connecting steps

Here’s a close-up look at where the throttle linkage connects:

Close up look at the linkage connection
Close up look at the linkage connection

Once you have the linkage connected, you’ll need to support it to keep it from disconnecting.

Step 5e: Reinstall the throttle body and reinstall the two nuts.

Slide the throttle body directly on the two bolts and reinstall the two nuts:

Install the two throttle body nuts
Install the two throttle body nuts

Reconnect the choke linkage:

Reconnecting the choke linkage
Reconnect the choke linkage

Step 6: Reinstall the throttle trigger.

Feed the throttle linkage through the oval hole and then slide the trigger onto the post on which it rotates.  Then hook the left edge of the spring on the throttle and pull the other end back and slip it into the notch on the right side as seen below:

Diagram showing how to reinstall the throttle trigger and spring
Reinstall the throttle trigger and spring

Step 7: Reassemble the handle.

Put the cover piece back on the handle and reinstall the two T20-headed screws.

Reassemble the handle
Reassemble the handle

Step 8: Reinstall the top cover.

Seat the far edge of the cover and then rotate the near edge down and onto the chainsaw:

Reinstalling the top cover
Reinstall the top cover

You may need to push down the choke button to get the cover to seat all the way down:

Pushing the choke out of the way so you can seat the top cover
Push the choke down to get the cover to seat all the way down

Amazon Associate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to Share Your Repair readers. By using the affiliate links, you are helping support Share Your Repair, and I genuinely appreciate your support.

Tags from the story
, , ,
Written By
More from John Mueller
How to Fix Error When Joining Windows Domain on New Install of Windows 7
The following error occurred attempting to joint the domain “DomainName”:I’ve been upgrading...
Read More

4 Comments

  • Indeed your explanation is thorough. The only issue Im having is the hook on my throttle linkage that seats down into the fork on the carb is curved the complete opposite direction of yours. This is from my ms170, I also have an 017 so I took it apart to look at it, same thing, curved in opposite direction. And yes I have problems with both. It doesn’t release from choke position the way it should when you press the top release button down and then the trigger, its like it gets jammed a bit.

    Any insight as to why an 017 AND the ms 170 both have the hook curved the other way? These saws were manufactured years apart, surely its not coincidence both have a defective throttle linkage with the hook curving the opposite way of yours, is it?

    • And yes I know your saw is a 180 but they are identical in throttle/carb set up.

  • John, you gave me the clearest explanations to repair the throttle linkage that got out of its place. Thank you so much for this post!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *