When you put the new rod in it probably let the ring come up above the sleeve when the head was off. Then when it went back down it snagged and snapped. You need to go to the Tiger forum I mentioned in an earlier post and talk to BAX there. He is associated with the Manufacturer as a rep and with Tower as well. He can help you straighten this out. Stop talking to clerks on the phone. They try and they are sincere but they can't always do the job.