I'm think that is a little misunderstanding of the geometry.
When springs lose their tension they go flat and given that the steering lever is fixed in its relationship with the axle assembly, when the spring is flat it should create more clearance rather than less.
The problem of the steering components hitting the springs is most likely with incorrect assembly, incorrect components and springs with too much of a curve at the front.
When I bought my FFR it was fitted with a RRc tie-rod end and produced the same symptoms as you are describing. You need to have the correct ends* and have the end of the drag link threaded as close as possible to the ball joint of the tie-rod end. You also need the correct clamps which are quite narrow unlike yours which are too wide. When this is done you adjust the steering box and lower steering relay to be correct for straight ahead, and lock to lock. Once you have done the other adjustments, you need to adjust the stop the swivel ball so that the drag link end does not hit the spring on full lock.
*
there are two types of tie rod end.
- the early type on the series 1s and series 2/2a had a flat shoulder after the thread where the clamp sits.
- The later type has the thread extending right up to the ball joint. Most SIII have the later type tie rods.
If you use the late type end on the early type tie-rods, there is not enough clamping pressure and the threads may strip leaving the vehicle without steering. This has resulted in fatal crashes.
If you use early type ends on late type rods, you can not thread the end completely into the tie-rod. This can cause adjustment problems.
