Idler arm bearing replacement for scag 52" deck

My idler arm has a lot of slack in it. (The one if your setting on the machine its on the left. 52" deck) So the local dealer sold me bearing to replace with but I cant seem to get the tension off of the spring to take off the arm. When I took the belt off the arm it hits a piece of metal on the deck that wont let it swing back far enough to let the tension off the arm so I can take bolt out and replace bearing. How do I get the tension off spring. Thanks.

Get a piece of heavy wire,
Wrap it around the middle of a comfortable handle then make a hook in the other end.
Hook it through the spring then stretch & remove the spring.

Thanks,
Robin