Took the stanza struts apart- no bump stops. Newish looking monroe gas inserts, so I just figured the mechanic was slack.

Took the 1200 struts apart.....what do you know? no bump stops.

Is this normal for Datsuns?

When I got the stanza springs out one was slightly longer than the other and had about 1/3 turn extra on the coil. Thought to myself "that car must have sat on an angle"......... whipped out the grinder and cut 2 coils out of each so that they were lowered & both the same length. (I figure I'll cut these ones to get the ride right & then get some made up to spec)

The joke was on me. Now my car sits on an angle

Is it normal for one spring to be longer than the other (i.e. a compensation for the drivers weight)

it shouldn't have different spring length coz it'll have different spring rate.

Different rate?

so how do you get the different rate? thicker wire or more coils?

It makes sense to compensate for driver weight but I'm not sure how you would do it without getting a car that sits on an angle?

*BUMP*

someone must know about this. share your knowledge before I get my angle grinder out again.

What you are saying about the drivers weight thing is true.
As my dad's old car when on a level surface sits slightly down to the passenger side.
This is to compensate for the weight of the driver.
As when anyone jumps in behind the drivers seat, the car levels up.
My datto seems to sit level though.
Maybe they use a different tension spring for each side of the vehicle.