Can't get spring back on VSP pulley assembly, Model 669 MTD

Hello all,
The bracket part of transaxel crossmemeber that retains one end of the badboy spring that come from VSP broke.
I think it was partly because my Bro in law drove into a ditch while mowing and because one of the 2 metal screws had broke/rusted out. I put 2 new nuts and bolts in the broke piece and now I can't stretch the spring enough to get it on.
I even bought a MTD spring puller tool and still can't get it on.
It has me thinking that maybe the VSP is not rotating back far enough. If it in fact does rotate like that.
I started it and put in forward gear yesterday and nearly ran over my house. No brakes or clutch.
I am assuming the spring being off caused all of that.
Or is something else wrong maybe. The mower did set for 2 years until here lately when I got it back.
I just can't imagine that spring being that hard to put back on.
I would appreciate any help or advice on this.

I bought this mower new on 5/9/92 at local Goodyear store.

Dang I have pictures but too big. I will have to resize or retake.

Pics

:welcome:

Yes I am fairly sure one of the cheif designers at MTD has orange hair and draggs his knuckles on the ground whan he walks.:laughing:
Make up a spring tool out of a length of wire so when you sit behind the mower with a foot against each wheel, back strait our legs are nearly strait.
make the handle big enough to hold with both hands.
Bend your knees, hook the tool into the spring and then straiten your legs to slide yer bum back and stretch the spring.
When it is in the right position tap the spring home with your left foot.

Be careful if the spring pops off the other end it can take out a rib as it flys past or give you a pirate face.

Thanks Bert,
That's funny. Maybe try it in am after 2 or 3 cups of coffee. And put my motorcycle helmet with full face shield on.
Thing is I thought I had everything out from under there off when I replaced engine pulley. But maybe not. Deck spring I think it was is also pretty tough. I used automotive brake tool on it if I remember right.

I play with vintage motorcycles and am used to impossible to replace springs.
You want to try replaceing the rear stand springs on some of thoes pre War girder forked motorcycles.
Or the Girder spring on a WLA or a cush drive spring on an engine.

Thoes MTD springs are a piec of cake after that but that don't mean they ain't a regular PIA