After watching this video **LINK**
it would appear to me you may be missing the distance piece he describes in the video
If i were to assemble it i would feed the locking shaft into the lower flexi arm from the left side , lining up the notch with the end of the locking rod then fit the distance piece from the right side followed by the large friction washer followed by the upper flexi arm then feed the short locking piece from the right side of the upper arm aligning the notch with the upper arm lock rod followed by the thrust washer and lock nut .
I tried to disassemble my one but couldn’t work out how it came apart but after watching the video and now knowing about the circlip i might give it another go !