Return Spring for Brake Pedal Broke

[DT1]

I jumped in the truck the other day and when I depressed the brake I heard a "Ping" and felt the pedal drop about a half inch. I got out to take a look and spotted a U shaped piece of spring metal in the floor mat. Upon further inspection, I could see way up under the column a heavy spring just kind of dangling there. I got the flashlight and an inspection mirror, but try as I might, I couldn't see where it is suppose to attach to the pedal. I consulted my manual but found no clear information about it. It looks like I'm going to have to remove the gauge cluster to even get to it.
Has anyone here recently replaced this spring? If so, a few pointers on how to gain easy access would be greatly appreciated. I hate to start ripping into something and then finding out that there was a simpler way to go about it.