That's the wrong spring. It's a coil spring similar to, but not as long as a shoulder brush spring and without the sprigs at both ends. It resides inside the shoe inside the box. You can insert it while installing the assembly or after by feeding it in from the side of the shoe when fully extended. Try to peen the stubs in the sideframe over the box tabs as much as you can and/or a smear of JB Weld over them while held in position until cured helps. Don't get any inside the box or on the shoe. Some repro springs need a slight tug to be the right length and not flop about inside the shoe, but some don't. Original shoes are better than Lionel AF or repro shoes. Originals have more curve at the bottom and are less prone to catch on rail joints, turnout features, etc. They're also less brittle and subject to cracking when adjusted.
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