You're talking about the canister-type filter with the replaceable cartridge, right? The spring goes into the canister first, then the piece that pushes the filter cartridge up against the engine block. If the spring holds the cartridge down, oil will simply bypass the filter, and no filtration will be accomplished. Of course, the fliter lasts a long time that way!
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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