where am I going wrong?

Thanks, I removed the clutch adjustment rod below at the clutch fork so the tension is off, yes I tried removing it up and down, it seems at mid point the spring is stretched the most and either up or down is in the same position but down is easiest to work with, it is difficult to get screws in the slots as they are very tight even at its most stretched point, I am thinking of going back to washers, not sure about the stiffener bracket but I assume its there as under the dash is mostly UN-molested, thanks