Jinma 284 Drivebox cover–stick shift problem

My “selector lever” (the stick shifter) was broken and welded properly. Having problem during re-assembly: the “washer”, an open ring with an indentation and protrusion, is OPEN on one side. It's supposed to sit on top of the spring and hold the end of the tick shift in place, so that it reaches through the shift guide plate to shift the gears.

I am having the hardest time getting the parts together. When I move the stick shift around., as if I shift, the washer dislodges, part of the spring comes out and the stick shifter gets stuck. What am I doing wrong?