Lubricating the Drive Shaft of a Gas Weed Eater

Maintenance on a Weed Eater gas-powered lawn trimmer is designed to be simple, even when lubricating the drive shaft. Follow these short tips to add lubricant to the primary component of the lawn trimmer's motion.

Step 1 - Disassemble the Lawn Trimmer

This task is best done before you start to use the lawn trimmer for the day. Lay out a tarpaulin in the garage or on the driveway, and place the lawn trimmer, a Phillips screwdriver, a dry cloth, rubber gloves and the drive shaft lubricant on it. Remove the headpiece screws with the Phillips screwdriver, placing them on the tarp. Lift the drive shaft cover away from the engine and pull the driveshaft out of its cover, setting it down on the tarp.

Step 2 - Apply the Drive Shaft Lubricant and Reassemble the Trimmer

After you have checked the drive shaft for any damage to the cable, such as broken or twisted wiring, clean off the drive shaft with a dry, lint-free cloth. Put on the rubber gloves and open the tube of drive shaft lubricant. Squeeze most of the lubricant onto the drive shaft and smooth it evenly with both hands. Apply the remaining lubricant inside the drive shaft cover. Put the drive shaft back into its cover and reattach to the engine mount.