1986 300SDL hood spring?

I was driving down the street and my hood came unlatched and bent backward over the windshield. (I don't think I had it latched completely down.) I was able to stop and bend it back down, but the hood is dented and the driver's side (large) hood spring came loose.
How do I replace the spring? I am going to replace the hood (but have not yet.) will it be easier to do with the hood off? I barely get my hand down next to the fuse box say nothing of figure out how to stretch that spring into place. Is there a special tool for this job?

Thanks

Scott

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