In a prior art camshaft phaser having a biasing spring, the stator spring tang is anchored to a first binder screw passing through a stator lobe adjacent the locking pin-containing vane of the rotor, and the rotor spring tang is anchored to a first target wheel protrusion opposite such a vane. In an improved installation method in accordance with the invention, during assembly of an improved phaser the biasing spring is rotated about 180.degree. from the prior art position such that the stator spring tang is anchored to a first fixed stop generally opposite the pin-containing vane, and the rotor spring tang is anchored to a second fixed stop generally adjacent such a vane.