Hmmm
My understanding is that the 95-97 and 98+ springs seat differently, so they are NOT interchangable. You can do complete assemblies in either direction (ie. 95-97 springs and struts in a 98+ or vice versa) but you cannot mix 95-97 with 98 plus parts.
Erik

95 LX/SE V6 5 Speed NUN 1 http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/588083 "The Contour SE is the best American car I have ever driven and one of the best cars period." Larry Griffin - C&D