Thanks. That was my thought. In old tensioners, the internal spring is usually worn flat on one side, and thus lower in compression force and could break altogether. A new one is cheap here ($7). I don't know that the spring is essential since there is also oil pressure on the piston. Perhaps the spring is just for initial assembly.

__________________
1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans