I know I am responding a couple months past the last post, but I just replaced mine and I made a tool to do it that made installation easy....especially in your situation with the paint. I basically used a ratchet with an extension and a socket and torqued it like tightening a bolt. Worked great with only minimal struggle.
The tool I made is as follows:
Find a spare socket that you do not mind ruining. Drill a hole completely through the sides. Attach the socket to an extension and ratchet. Using electrical tape, tape the socket and the extension together - this helps ensure you do not pull the unit apart while to using it.
Run the end of the rod that needs to be locked in place through the hole in the socket. Using some of the tape, tape the attached tool to the rod itself - this helps ensure you don't inadvertently slide the tool off as you use it. Then use the ratchet to twist or torque the rod similar to tightening a bolt, and clip in place.
You may need the assistance of a second person with a flat tip screw driver to help you clip the torqued rod in place. To remove the tool, use a drimmel to cut through the side of the socket and a flat tip screw driver to pry it apart. Be careful not to cut into the rod.
Hope this helps if you have not undertaken the job yet.