Awning replacement fabric adventure...oy

I had to do more research...hired someone for the 2nd day for $60 for 2 hours. I like learning how to do things. Then I'm all set to do it again or to help someone else to save some money replacing theirs. We got it installed. Discovered that the problem with mine was that there was a tiny (less than 1/8") chip out of the corner of the up/down awning lever. It's been missing since I bought the rig 14 years ago so I never missed it. I was still able to take the awning up and down. There is a tiny tiny piece of metal that that lever catches on (which tore that tiny piece off my level at some point before I bought the rig) that causes it to click. So because that was gone the spring sprang when I lifted it out of the pocket at the top of the arm. So inspect that lever and if it's hard to lift one end out -- check to make sure that lever is in the correct position. Or use a 2nd cotter pin for good measure.