I have had the same problem with the springs on the huck style brakes. The trick seems to be sure to fully seat the hook in the hole of the brake shoe before you release the pressure on the spring. Otherwise, the tip of the hook will catch on the edge of the hole and the hook will try to bend out straight. If it does, it will then surely break if you try to reform the hook! I have had success using vice grips attached just below the hook, and using a large screw drive as a lever to stretch the spring into position. I informed the co. about the broken sping, and they said that they would replace it. Good luck
