Broken spring under John Deere lx178 rider

[lstullken]

When I lifted my John Deere lx178 38inch deck and hydrostatic-drive tractor to sharpen the blades I found one end of a broken spring hanging from a midships hole in the "floor" of the tractor. The other end of the spring was laying on the ground nearby. Local dealer can find no diagrams that match the size or location of this spring and I can find no functions that do not work except for the deck lift lever that does not catch at top level when lifting the deck. The spring is about 1/2 inch in diameter, 0.06inch wire and 8 inch long from hook end to hook end. The hook on the tractor floor end is small and short. The other end has a 1/2 inch hook and a 2 inch pigtail. The only springs on the deck lift lever assembly are a really big heavy thing(1.5" dia & .12" wire I would guess) and a tiny spring inside the lever itself. Anyone have ideas on where the broken spring goes and what is the deal with the lift lever not engaging at top level? Lloyd