Shift Tube Installation (automatic)

[qmcdugan]

My attempts to seat the shift tube with the spring 7379 in place at the bottom of the column have failed and Im wondering if someone has developed the trick to getting it installed properly?

The part number in question is 7379 found in the lower right corner of the illustration I found here at the HOME page of this site under Exploded View Diagrams.

I can seat the shift tube without the spring easily enough, and it seems to work but it's not right. That spring is in there for a reason. With the shift tube out and in hand I slip the spring over the lower end of the shift tube it takes quite a bit of compressing to expose the tab that would allow engagement the shift lever part 7302.