Started describing this story in another thread but thought maybe I should start another.

After replacing my boiler/heating element, I'm now experiencing a problem I'd had once before. My steam valve doesn't seem to want to open all the way. I usually use it for hot water for americanos but with the valve cranked open I'm getting very little flow. In fact I get more flow with the valve partway open. The valve seems stiffer than it was before I replaced the boiler.

It seems to me, the last time this happened it was because the little metal lip that goes on the inner end of the steam valve knob was broken. This clip seems to keep the soft plastic end of the knob more rigid or something so that it doesn't just deform when you try to open the valve. Anyone know if this is a common problem? Any way to prevent these clips from snapping?

Nobody else has experienced this? It's happened to me twice so I'm just wondering if I'm doing something wrong.