So I am looking over my MS361 today as I am wanting to sell it soon, noticed some cracks in the chain brake handle. so i want to replace it before I sell it where is the best place to get a new ( or used handle) dealer, ebay other found this on Amazon, does not seem to bad http://www.amazon.com/Generic-CHAIN-HANDLE-Chainsaw-Replacement/dp/B00NAW4S08 Also any thing I should know about before i replace it, I see one fastener is readily assessable, but the other is not, Thanks
I've never used an aftermarket hand guard/brake lever so I can't recommend anything there. The other side isn't a single fastener. On the recoil side, remove the whole recoil cover (4 screws) and get it out of the way. On the clutch side, remove the plastic dust cover above the clutch, which will expose the brake mechanism. Snap a picture or two of it before you take it apart, because there are several pieces that will have to go back in the same orientations. You'll have to remove the large horizontal spring that holds the brake tight when actuated, and you'll have to remove a small e-clip that retains a simple trigger mechanism on a post that's press-fit into the crankcase. With the spring and e-clip removed, along with the big screw on the recoil side, you'll be able to slide the hand guard/brake lever up and off of its pin, bringing the hinged trigger mechanism with it, and then slide the trigger mechanism out of its slot in the brake lever. The toughest part about reassembly is wrestling that big spring back into place. Make sure the brake lever is pushed forward into the actuated position, because that way you won't have to stretch the spring quite as far.
