Reply to "Lionel 027 Scout: Why does the flat spring on rear coupler force rear truck upwards, instead of downwards onto the track?"

@GVDobler posted:

Is there a chance that the spring should be on the bottom of that crossbar? It would still make contact and it would push the truck down instead of up.

Doing that could lead to the spring making contact with the middle rail, causing a short.

Could you use a pair of pliers to squeeze the flat spring enough to maintain contact but not raise the wheels too much?