Those stars can be quite stubborn sometimes, but it sounds like you're on the right track, I think when I had put mine back together, I wound up hooking one end of the bracket in then using pliers to pull the other side in and twist, kinda dangerous if it slips but it worked.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale