2000 Ford Expedition Ashtray

I have a 2000 Ford Expedition and my ashtray/cupholder doesn't have the spring in it when you push it in and out. I pulled it out and found the medal rod that gives it it's torque. How do I place that medal piece back in??

I, too, had the same problem with my 2000 Expedition. One day the ashtray failed to lock in place. When I examined it, I found the metal clip inside the dashboard. When I removed the ashtray (by pressing in the side clips), I saw that a small plastic tab in the back that held the metal clip in place had broken off. I used a small screw (drilling an appropriate hole first) to reinstall the metal clip.