How do you get a Suspension to hook, when the track surface is marginal at best

I agree with Cope.. The housing will have to come out to verify it's integrity.
(but the end's always go on last, so when the brace/welding pulls stuff around, it can be corrected when the ends are installed)

So, new SS springs it is. I know a lot of guys who run a snubber with SS springs.. to each their own, but they were NOT designed to run with a snubber.
Just for the record.. before the CalTracs made their debut (1990?), there were LOTS of guys in Stock Eliminator with shivi's and phords (even John Calvert) running Mopar SS springs. None of them used a snubber. (that I know of..) Just sayin..