Husqvarna chain-brake fix

Can’t get the cover on your Husqvarna chainsaw back on after working on your chain? Chances are you forgot to disengage the chain brake before removing the cover (it probably didn’t come off quite that easy, remember?) and now you’re stuck with a chainsaw you can’t reassemble without getting the chain stuck…

There are quite a few videos on YouTube with different methods on how to fix this, but most of them aren’t exactly easy or risk-free (it’s a quite strong coil with a lot of energy stored) and take way longer than they need to. Apparently Husqvarna even has a dedicated tool to do this… Well, here’s an easy 5-10 second fix that worked just fine for me on a Husky 135, once I figured out what the problem was:

1. With the cover, blade and chain removed – move the brake handle forward into the “engaged” position.
2. Put the cover in place and wiggle it (and the brake handle) a bit so the star-like metal piece slips into place, aligned with the notches on the brake handle.
3. With everything aligned, pull the handle carefully back to disengage the brake, using the handle as a lever exactly the way you’d normally use it when working with your chainsaw. You’ll hear it click in place.
4. Remove the cover again, attach the bar and put on the chain. Put the cover back on the way it’s supposed to work: without much resistance at all.

No disassembly of the brake required and certainly no special tool, only takes a couple seconds. Possibly even works without removing the bar and chain, though I haven’t tried it that way.