heating element shorting out-sparking

I turned off electric to the stove. In the oven, I removed the two screws that hold the element in place. I then pulled the element out about 3 inches and disconnected the two wires. After unpacking the new element, I placed it in the bottom of the oven, reconnected the two wires, and gently fed the wires back into the back of the oven. I then secured the new unit to the oven wall with the two screws.