The 'springy' bit is the inner cable i think. i un-did the white plastic clip from the housing & when i gently pulled the clocks forward, the inner cable looked like it was pulling out of the outer sleeving. The inner cable looks like a spring as it has/is a coil of wire: hence why it looks like a spring. But I wasn't sure if that bit was supposed to stay in the clocks or come out of the housing itself.

From how you explained it, it looks like the inner cable is stuck in the housing & i'll have to pull it out. Wasn't sure if it was the same set-up as the S2 cos I've had the clocks in & out a few times and the cable has come out ok..but with this one being like this, didn't know if they were a different assemby.

Cheers mike.