I took off the rear brake lever on the rear hub. Looked simple enough. Putting it back on is proving a challenge.
I can't get the spring seated correctly.

When I hang it around the lever or I put it in the little hole in the hub, either way, I can't get the lever to move into the correct position down the spindle it attaches to. The spring binds up and wont let it sink into position.

I've been banging my knuckles for 1/2 an hour and was getting ready to try bending the spring with pliers. That's how I knew I needed to take a breath and ask the forum.

Guys (and gals), any advice would be appreciated.

Agree with JOG.

Also, you might have pushed the shaft in during your attempts.  If this has happened, you will have to remove the rear wheel to fix it unless you can find a way to pull it back out without damaging the splines.  If it's like most of the brake cams I've seen, the only thing holding it in place is the cam itself on the back side and the lever on the outside. I have not taken the lever off of mine yet so I am not 100% about what's holding it in place but that's how it usually works.

Set spring in hole.  Remove bolt from lever. Install lever onto splined shaft. Install bolt. pull spring around lever.

Wheel off the bike?
Remove shoes then you can align it all.

Had the same problem when I  changed to a straight arm instead of the offset. Made the Dyna fit easier than doing an offset pipe.  The cam moves in/out just enough to make seating the spring impossible.

Don't beat yourself up...the brake works fine with just the return springs on the shoes.  Mine has for over a thousand miles.  The outer spring will get reinstalled when I replace the rear tire...which is in the basement...another project soon.