When you say it doesn't work, do you mean it doesn't release?
The springs have to compress some from the unassembled position for it to hold, but you also have to have enough movement in the linkage to release it. I would check the linkage first.
Also, if the pilot bearing is hung up, or the splines on the disk/transmisison input shaft are too tight, the clutch can hang up, causing grinding on shifting.
