I've also had mine hangin' in there like a lost a lost appendage, in the too hard basket for want of a 'good' idea. Tried trevs' washers but only have thin ones on hand last few days and agree with a few comments, it stretched a bit but no amount of encouragement made it stretch enough.
No such thing as 'Bad Language' except for people who can't spell -*fight*, probably best use 'creative use of modern expletives', with which I'm well rehearsed.
I'm trying a method using a bit of chain, will get back on that, have to wait for the neighbours to go out first(see previous sentence)
UPDATE..... I just put the spring in after a couple of minutes preparation, using a Bow shackle, a short length of chain and a 'ball joint separator'(b.j.s.)-any suitable shackle, chain or lever would do.
The shackle bow goes over and above the 'eye' at the bottom of the spring with enough links to form a loop through which to pass the lever(b.j.s.) , and to use the stand crossover as a fulcrum and push down on back end of lever, spring just slides on.
I took a couple of pics but maybe not enough and on a dry run it just 'fell into place', piece of cake wink2 so maybe can take more if need be.
Note the washers in place -legacy of Trevs idea.
Deserve a
but did that before the job ,now need a nap before work in 6hrs
good luck