Has anyone ever reinstalled the PSE tips?

I took them off for cleaning and I can’t get them in, far enough to fit flush with the bumper trim, like they used to be.

I took them appart and cleaned the floating ring, put it back in place and tried to insert it. No luck.

I even tried with a rubber mallet and still no luck. 🤷*♂️

 

A suggestion...if my chemistry class from high school serves me right. boil some water, dunk the tips in for a few minutes and then try applying them. it might be just the expansion of the metal you need to get them back on and flush as original.