Please don't tell me to post this on the bicycle mechanics board. Already tried that and the request was roundly ignored.

Anyway, I got a bit overzealous cleaning up a set of Dia Compe and a set of Weinmann brakes. I completely disassembled them both, got them all sparkly clean and shiny. Put them back together ok, and, although they are functional, they aren't "right". The springs that tension the arms need to go round one more time. Problem is, nothing I've tried works to make them go around again. Am I lacking a tool? Am I deficient in technique? Anyone done this successfully before? If so, please share.

Thanks,

Z