Dan, I had the same problem with a set of powder coated hood springs. I tried everthing to get them back in place, I just wasn't strong enough. My son, the avid weight lifter was able to get them reset with a vice and his brute strength. It wasn't easy for him either. We covered the brackets with rags, but still had some small nicks when we got finished. They work fine now, no problems with them holding the hood up!
