The clip is usually laying next to the end of the cable under the lid. It takes all of a couple of minutes to fasten it back on. I've done this job probably a hundred or so times for customers. The whole job, including getting the top off takes about 10 minutes. After you get the top off and see how it all works, you'll see how easy it is. The main cause for this is from pulling on the smaller release handle too hard. You just need to gently pull it with limited travel for the last release stage.