:-)
I think it's the timing more than anything that makes me suspicious...Right here within a few months of graduation and everything hits at once (Well, ok, over the last year...)
It's ok! I'm very optimistic.
But I wonder if I could find that part on line? That spring? It's massive...like 3" in diameter and 4' long...heavy duty spring...
See if you can find out the name of the manufacturer of the door.
Take the broken one to a hardware store. Not a big box store, the local place where the old guys hang out and make remarks about new-fangled power drills. Ask them if they have something similar, or if they can order one for you.