Sthil 038AV Break not Engaging

[Afj]

I am hoping that someone might know why my break/clutch isn’t engaging on my sthil 038AV chainsaw. It is a older model so I cannot find much help online so this is my last cry for help before I send it away to get fixed.

The break was getting stiffer to engage and now no mater how hard you pull the handle back, the break won’t engage (click). 
 

Any help/guidance will be much appreciated!!

Edited May 1 by Afj

[peatff]

On 01/05/2026 at 18:29, Afj said:

The break was getting stiffer to engage and now no mater how hard you pull the handle back, the break won’t engage (click). 

 

All my saws push forward to engage the brake, is this a special model ?

Edited May 3 by peatff

[Stubby]

On 01/05/2026 at 18:29, Afj said:

I am hoping that someone might know why my break/clutch isn’t engaging on my sthil 038AV chainsaw. It is a older model so I cannot find much help online so this is my last cry for help before I send it away to get fixed.

The break was getting stiffer to engage and now no mater how hard you pull the handle back, the break won’t engage (click). 
 

Any help/guidance will be much appreciated!!

Youare releasing the brake . Push forward till it clicks . 

Edited May 4 by Stubby

[pleasant]

As Stubby states, in the video you are releasing the brake, not engaging it. So in the position it is in, in the video does the clutch drum spin freely....it should. If you push the brake lever forward, as you would in a kickback situation, the brake should engage and stall the clutch drum. Please do not engage the brake with that retaining cover removed, as that spring will be under a lot of tension and could fly off if not retained by the cover keeping everthing in line.

 

The 038 brake operates in exactly the same way as all modern saws. See page 27.

 

https://www.stihlmschainsaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/stihl-038-user-manual.pdf

Edited May 4 by pleasant

[peatff]

16 hours ago, pleasant said:

As Stubby states, in the video you are releasing the brake, not engaging it.

I did mention that as well😁

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, peatff said:

I did mention that as well😁

I suspect the brake band is not releasing as the brake handle is not able to move back and force the toggle over centre. This can be because the wrong front guard has been fitted or the front handle is bent.

[Stubby]

25 minutes ago, openspaceman said:

I suspect the brake band is not releasing as the brake handle is not able to move back and force the toggle over centre. This can be because the wrong front guard has been fitted or the front handle is bent.

You don't think he is pulling it rather than pushing it forward then ? It looks free to me when he is not doing anything . So , push it forward and it should engage surely ? 

Edited May 5 by Stubby

[openspaceman]

6 hours ago, Stubby said:

You don't think he is pulling it rather than pushing it forward then ? It looks free to me when he is not doing anything . So , push it forward and it should engage surely ? 

I have looked at thew video again and yes, the brake band appears to be off the drum as he pulls the brake handle back but it seems to touch the front handle before the part marked PR latches the spring lever bell crank to hold it off.

 

Perhaps he's not giving it enough welly??

Edited May 5 by openspaceman
typo

[Muddy42]

The video shows someone trying to release the brake not apply the brake.  i can't work out if the brake is on at the beginning and just won't release?

 

Personally I'd get the oiler and clutch drum removed, clean everything up and investigate further.  

 

I agree older brakes need a far whack to engage them.

[Stubby]

3 hours ago, Muddy42 said:

The video shows someone trying to release the brake not apply the brake.  i can't work out if the brake is on at the beginning and just won't release?

 

Personally I'd get the oiler and clutch drum removed, clean everything up and investigate further.  

 

I agree older brakes need a far whack to engage them.

It is not locked on . It looks free around the drum when he is not touching the handle and even freeer when he pulls it back . Why does he not push it forward to engage the brake like the rest of the world ? I think its aother bloody wind up FFS !