Question about getting brake band back on an OC-4

[Ed Miller]

I'm having a little trouble getting one of the relined brake bands back on my machine.  I have it wrapped around the drum but can't quite get the paw that is attached to the band to go around the pivot shaft at the top of the differential housing.  Is there any trick I am missing?   I push the brake band as close to the drum as I can but  U-shaped paw just can't squeeze around the shaft.   I got one band installed OK, it's just this one that is holding me up.

Thanks
Ed