rewind spring keeps slipping out of spring retainer cup.

Hi just joined this forum have been reading you guys a while finally couldn't find answer to problem so here I am. Ok I'm not sure why but the rewind spring on my 1984 15hp johnson keeps slipping out of the keeper notch in the spring retainer cup so I was wondering if I could tack weld it in place or if anyone knows another trick to keep it from slipping up and coming uncoiled....also might be a stupid question but can anyone see a problem with me using my cordless drill on the flywheel nut as a sort of makeshift starter I've tried it without fuel hooked up & it turns it over easy enough I'm just afraid when it were to start I wouldn't have time to pull drill socket off before motor spun it out of my hands and then God knows where any comments ideas or warnings would be greatly appreciated thanks.