the washer that fits over the outside end of the tube, is a purpose built piece with a kind of flattened figure 8 shape. It is also impressed in such a way that it sits snugly on the end of the tube, The foot, which can be black or grey was variably, round or frustum ( truncated cone) shaped. This should fit snugly enough, to keep the washer centered and is a critical part of the mechanism. Without a snugly fitting foot, or tube cap the washer can slip around on the end a bit and if worn enough, can get pulled into the tube by the spring. I have never seen an original one break but I have come across a few stands that had home made washers, installed after the original got lost and often they bend concave under spring pressure and can snap in two. The original part was hardened after stamping.

The spring is fairly deep inside the tube and it needs to be pulled out to catch the washer, which establishes some preload, so that the leg is tight on it's mounting stub.

You can fit the spring to the washer and install the inside after but I found the best way is to install the inside first then pull the spring out of the tube with a springhook or bent pick. A wire loop can work too. If the tool is thin enough you can just slip the washer into place and remove the hook.

This stand has the black round ball rubber feet. When I pulled the leg out to fold it up the ball shot off and the leg came off. I don't know if the end washer broke as I didn't find it. But the spring and the long wire hook look to be in fine shape. I guess I'll have to fabricate a washer.

Here's what the stage looked like last night ;)

If the foot shot off , that implies that the inside spring connection let go and the spring recoiled towards the foot. In such a scenario, the washer would also be released but not be broken. Yet, your description otherwise implies that the parts are all still in good shape----minus the missing washer. Is the washer inside the foot?

anyway. I think, I might have an extra washer , if yours doesn't turn up. Firstly , though check the spring carefully and see if it is broken . They have a bit of a complicated shape, so it might not be obvious..

Spring looks fine and everything looks like it would work if it had the washer to hold it.

I'll look and see if I have a spare washer. I bought some from Ingo ( trixondrums.de), a few years ago but think I have extras. If not, Ingo may still have them. Check his site.

The washer should not come off normally, if everything is working right but they do. In looking at the legs , where the washer has come off and comparing them to ones where the washer has not come off, it seems that two things happen.

1) the spring stretches slightly and that, coupled with loose fitting feet allows the washer to wiggle around on the end. The center area can wear thin and it gets off center, it can fall into the tube and depart the spring.

2) using excessive force to pull the leg out, rather than just enough to clear the base will eventually stretch the spring and or cause the washer and leg end to deform .

worn or wiggly washers can be tack brazed to the spring. If done by a competent welder,with a small tip, there should be no heat spread and the chrome end of the tube will not suffer.