Spoke with my A&P today about sleeve/hook
connector. He has dealt with this gripe before and suspects the hook may be bent
yet not bent
enough to a visual inspection due to ham
fisted assembly technique allowing the hook
to bash into the fuselage while inserting the spar.

Short of replacing the sleeve/hook assembly,
my A&P suggested the hook gap can be restored
with a jewelers file. Impossible to verify results by eye. Test fit. Possible multiple test fits. No Bending.

Thanks for replies. Will advise once I apply this
suggestion from my A&P