So noticed my right rear brake cylinder went out as brakes were feeling wonky, and noticed there was a puddle around the right rear tire.

Stuck my head underneath the bed to take a look, and...

Great. RIP wheel cylinder before I could go to Pick-N-Pull to get a 8.8 rear end from an Explorer (part of the 302 swap I've been planning). Was able to limp home from the laundromat and get to today. Put everything on jack stands, pull the rear wheels off, get the drums off...


For the life of me, could not find the other part of this spring.
Cleaned everything up as best I could, ran to O'Reilly's using my roommate's car to grab everything else I needed.

Get to work with a wire wheel cleaning up what I could that was being reused and the backing plate as much as possible... Go to reassemble the innards of the brake drums, starting with the right side... I can't get the spring for the e brake to pull back enough to connect the plate (I can't say I know the technical term) that connects to the shoe... Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get this to cooperate? I'm at a bit of a stand still and could use some advice.