I just changed mine also, and here's what I did with the lower washers.
As you found, they didn't fit snug to the ID, like they did with the stock springs.
I bent 2 of the tabs (slightly) and the fit great after that. I was concerned that they wouldn't lay flat, on the bottom of the spring unless they were attached to the spring.
I wish I had known about the hose trick.
I ended up using :eek: a pair of vice grips, lightly pinched on the piston rod to hold it up. I compressed the springs with a tie down between the front axle and the lower fork clamp. I should have gone the long (but easier route) of just taking them off and doing it right.
It worked out in the end.
I ended up lightening my compression by 2 clicks. Gonna test it out today while mileing an enduro. :D
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."