I also have original Weed Popper weeding tool with pivoting step mechanism ... was disassembled to straighten out bends in the pedal that had developed over time ... now that everything is back to original shape, I just can't get that torsion spring back in place ... it's too strong to just muscle in by hand ...

Is there a procedure I can follow that will get the job done ?

tim, September 2015

Fix the weed popper in a vice - attach one end of the spring - use one hand and a lever to get a mechanical advantage to extend the spring.

With your free hand attach the other end of the spring.

Good Luck..., September 2015