Re-assemble VHS-C tape, the spring?
 

Hi all, did a search but did not find anything specific to my problem. I have a TDK HG compact VHS tape that broke at the hub and I was forced to take it apart to retrieve the tape. I have it mostly back together but there is a tiny spring (with each end protruding from the coiled part), I just cannot find a reference to where it goes. I think it controls the armature with the ratchet gears but no info is in my reach.

Never reassemble a VHS-C tape. Move it to a full VHS clamshell. You're never going to get that PITA C-form to go back together correctly. There are too many tiny parts in the C form that are either larger or not present in the full shells.

VHS-C is far too fragile as a format. It's my least favorite tape type.

I did read up and noticed that solution, finding a diagram for this one-off was my hope so I can capture and get this over with. I'll have to find a blank/empty VHS shell. One spring away, sigh. Thank you and happy New Year.
PS: It's so cold in New England right now that few are venturing out and this capture would have been a good use of my time today.

If this is just the door spring, simply do not reassemble that part. It will still play without the gate. All VHS tapes are like that. The gate is there for outside-of-VCR protection, and is just in-the-way/extra parts inside the deck.

Hopefully you're using the CP7U-type Matshushita/JVC/Panasonic metal adapter working with VHS-C.

Today's high here is 60, a mere 45 right now. Though still cold to me. :P

"Hopefully you're using the CP7U-type Matshushita/JVC/Panasonic metal adapter working with VHS-C."
Wellllll, probably not, it's a no-name and worked great for a dozen tapes but this last one may already have been crinkled, but it was eaten. Oh the sound in my player as it unraveled inside!
PS: It's so cold here near Gillette, people are huddling around Bill Belichick for warmth. (Cymbal crash).

It was a wee bit tedious but I moved the tape to a full-size VHS shell and went on about my day, worked great. Before all was done I probably lost 10-12 feet of tape, not sure what that amounts to in viewing time. Thank you.