It's not easy. When the spring jumps away or breaks, you need the special Kirby tool to wind the spring to do the repair. It's hard to grab the spring with anything else, because of the way the part on the side (where the lower handle attaches) is designed. Most of them go unrepaired because they are such a hassle, even for us folks who repair vacs.
www.vacuumcleanerhelp.com
May 2009