OK Guys.......I'm back after cleaning up the mess from Tropical Cyclone Alfred!!!
No damage to our house, but lots and lots of large and small branches, and lots and lots of leaves from the large gum trees on the adjoining golf course in our back yard.
Anyway, returned to the workshop yesterday, and had another crack at installing those demon possessed springs. That has to be the most "soul-destroying" thing I have ever done....without exception!!!!
Finally "mastered" the art (black art), by adding a small amount of "Red-N-Tacky" grease to the knuckle hinge point, to hold the spring in place, inserted the rivet, just enough to secure the spring centered over the hole, and very carefully, and I mean VERY CAREFULLY installed the "hand" part of the knuckle in under the spring, and then back into the knuckle, where I could push the rivet down into the bottom hole (QUICKLY).
Halleluiah, and praise the Lord.......the Devil has been conquered!!!
In the below photo you can see the straight end of the "demon spring", and its bent end in the correct position
Here is one of the knuckles fully re-assembled back on the truck, and working as it was originally (psychotically) designed.
All I can add is........NEVER, NEVER, NEVER AGAIN!!!! I will save up and buy a new, fully assembled coupler if I am ever put in that position again.
Peter.......Buco Australia.
