Ya know that might work if you could tap the inside of the shaft and get a nipple or rod to fit then putting the spring in and then a nut to compress it. That spring is small but very stiff and to compress it may be a chore and it has to be there so the arm will stay in position.
I still have all the
parts I may mess with it.
The only thing I would be worried about is if that spring popped loose during assembly, it was put on with a lot of force, when it broke I found the keeper and spring about 18 feet away from the RV.:E