Installing aftermarket front springs. The spring has one end that has the first two coils almost stacked the other end is just open like the spring was just cut in the middle. I am pretty sure this is the way this spring is supposed to be (both sides are the same and they look just like pictures I have seen). I know the upper spring mount in the frame has sort of a spring pocket as does the lower control arm. From reading past posts I gather that the lower arm is really not an issue and I should align with the upper spring stop. My question is which end is up. It seems to me I read that the end with the closer coils goes up (ie into the frame) however given the way the pocket and the spring are shaped it seems like the more open end fits the pocket better.

I tried mounting them with the stacked coil on top however then when I look into the control arm just the edge of the end of the spring makes contact...even as the suspension is compressed very little of the spring contacts the arm while up on top (it is hard to see for sure) but it seems that a good amount of one coil makes contact.

So which is right? Seems from what I can see I would have better contact on both ends if I put the stacked coil down and the open coil into the recess in the frame.

Thanks
Darren

 

remember, position/rotate the spring as needed to keep the lower a-frame drain hole open.

 

The spring does'nt know from top or bottom, the rate and characteristics are not affected by the mounting orientation. The only important factor is the fit, and for this all we normally do is compare the design of the end coil at each end to that of the springs being replaced. i.e. flattened end on the bottom , or in your case the protruding end into the pocket on top.
Hope this helps,
Rich

 

Originals had the close coils to the top. That should be the way it is installed.