So I shouldnt use the spring but are those just hair scrunchies?
They are like small rubber bands but they are made out of silicone or some other type of stretchy elastic material. They are more resistant to corrosion and degredation than regular rubber bands. I have had mine on my engine all year and I have yet to have one snapp or fail due to the elastic band degrading.
These little elastic band are far better than the rubber bands IMO