How do you get a Suspension to hook, when the track surface is marginal at best

Even if it is bent, I dont think that's your issue.

Only way to know for sure is find someone with a jig or pay a shop to check it.
150 or so bucks.

If it's not bent I would brace it before it goes back in, only proble with that is it can bend when you brace it. Then it's back to the shop, cut the ends off, back with the jig and reweld the ends...
So it's not cheep....