Rope Pull Starter Clutch

Newbie; tried search to no avail; starter gets me to engine starters, clutch, yip, get's me to clutches...

So to most of you this is prob too simple, but here goes; I don't know how many times in my life I've been asked by somebody to help get their mower started, and when I pull the rope, the first thing I find is it pulls out 18-24 inches with NO "tension"; loose, very loose. Well, if the engine starts easily, it gets started, but wondering, WHAT happened? How did all this rope get loose; not pulling back in?

What is the fix? Is there a way to dissassemble and "re-wind" the rope properly? new spring? new clutch? how do I get this assembly off? it's a regular 21 inch push "whirly-gig" blade with the starter rope on a top vertical shaft.

New parts on the web? or can I fix it?

thx,

LarryR : )