Door handle shaft spring replace

[Cree]

1928 Tudor door latch—what’s the technique to replace the outside door handle shaft spring? I have new spring but it seems that the bracket on the latch plate holding the shaft rocker captive must be pried/spread apart to get the rocker free to change the spring. Asking before I wreck it.

 

[mcgarrett]

The safest way to keep from breaking the tabs that hold the spring is to heat them RED with a propane or small torch (being careful not to melt them), and bend them just enough to remove the spring then reverse the process once the new spring is installed.

 

[Cree]

Thanks for tip