904 differences

yeah it seemed funny to me too but it shifts normal without the spring ,maybe I'll put it back on and see if it works again maybe some dirt was in it somwwhere

Once there it should not have changed at all.
It is totally possible that something in the trans changed, but I can't imagine what it could be.
I fit has good shifts without it, you could just leave it off.
Or you could stretch it a little at a time and it will bring the shiftpoints and firmness down incrementally till you like it.

BTW, congratulations on a round trip.
I love round trips. :-)