Inside rod door latch spring

[Jffairchild]

Anyone know of an easy way to get the spring over/on to the inside door rod latch? We have a 1930 Model A deluxe coupe, and the part of the spring that inserts into the small hole located halfway down the rod's length impedes any attempt to slip the spring over the end of the rod. We've tried straightening out that piece but they break every time we attempt it. We've also tried pulling open the spring more and working it over the end of the rod, but that tends to stretch out the spring and losing it's force.