It is a direct replacement and to do the ideal job you need to disassemble the motor housing. This is not easy to do so splicing in the lead of the new switch to the existing lead, once the old switch has been cut off, is the best way forward. This is the way I went and you have to make the electrical joints safe and insulated. As I have electrical knowledge this was not a problem for me. The switch works perfectly, so happy mowing!!!