thanx guys but i came up with a different solution
i just flared out the end of the spring with some needle nose
so it would clip into the filter
now it will be simple and clean every time

 

Hey klxrdr.....there are NO stupid question here buddy and if there where, I would have asked them ALL by now!!!!!!

Ya know, I thought of bending the spring a hair too.............guess it is working out for you??
I use the grease method myself.......glad I bought it actually, I've greased every bearing I took off while changing tires and stuff.

Dave

 

I just lay mine over with the handlebar on a milk crate, works a treat

 

I used the force.


... because I didn't know about this site when I did my oil change... so I fought the damn thing for an hour or so.

 

...wow...I guess i'm lucky...my springs stays put where i put it because the casting in the case is not perfect and it didn't move.My Honda atv is the same way but after a few times it'll be easy to do while the bike is standing up.It's not that hard.The trick is to not have 4 fingers jammed into the housing while trying to put the filter and cover back on........