There IS a spring. Roll it out a very short distance, put a pin (long cotter pin) through the hole in the left end upper bracket, tie the arms on both ends so they don't expand out, unbolt both end brackets and get some help to lift the brackets out of the arms. Unroll the awning down towards the ground, slide the cloth out of the tube then the upper rail. Reverse for installation, and don't forget to remove the cotter pin...extend and retract a couple of times to make sure all is well. My wife and I with 2 ladders did it in less than 2 hours.