Rear springs... loose? Options

[MeyerTX]

1996 celica GT, 160k, auto... before this last weekend we've had a "clunk" in the rear suspension, and it was happening on any surface... smooth, bumpy, accelerating, turning, etc. So, I opted to change out the springs (struts had already been replaced with basic KYB GR2's about 10 months ago).

Bought and installed Megan orange lowering springs... same issue.

Here's the HUGE clue - the old springs did not need to be compressed to get out of strut - and neither did the Megan springs need to be compressed to be installed in the KYB's. They are probably about 1/4" from fitting with the strut structure tightly. I'm wondering if:

1. KYB is selling a new strut that is too tall? (double checked part numbers on site and on actual strut)
2. We have something missing, like a thick spacer? (bought new rubber mount for lower part where spring meets strut base, then you have the spring, and a one-piece strut mount holds in all in place.


Ideas?

[MeyerTX]

the end links are on the list for this weekend, and we bought the trailing arms bushings already too... its just the fact that the spring is not compressed (before installing) that worried me. Car is sitting level and we did put new strut mounts on when we did the new struts back in June.

Do you know if there is a rubber bushing at the top of the spring, before the mount?