Lisle valve spring compressor, junk?

66Valiant528 said

You don't want to hit the locks! Just give that big retainer a good smack. If you like put a 5/8 socket on top and wack it!!

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I hit the locks a few taps. I thought the locks were the retainers. Is the retainer actually what caps the spring and look like a washer? I was literally about to start hammering harder on the little pieces that lock the spring to the stem.