Torsion Bar clips won't install

I won't claim the slot for the clip was completely clean - as i don't normally attempt to remove all the original grease. That has never been an issue - the slot for the clip is not yet visible, as the bar would need to go forward another sixteenth of an inch or so. As for the suggestion for loosening the bolt, my approach is always good to install the bar with the bolt loose as it allows for slight up/down, left/right movement. It does not, however, give any additional travel room for the bar to slide forward when you loosen the bolt. Thanks.