Here's another pic, Bob
[img]
http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2000/bb092300at.jpg[/img]
Bigger Picture Still assuming that your 55 2nd series is similar to my 55 1st series, I believe the "wishbone" shaped spring is to keep pressure on the backside of the pivot buttons as stated by Dennis above.
That little sheetmetal collar fits inside the machined pivot saddle and restrains the spring from pushing the buttons too far out. When you reinstall the shift lever, the buttons depress slightly against the spring until the lever housing is down to its installed position, shown below
[img]
http://www.laroke.com/larryk4674/2001/bb032501at.jpg[/img]
Bigger Picture Then the spring pops the buttons back out (and holds them) so that the shift lever can pivot off of them.
