Well that didn't take long..

Sorry a little late to this thread but....
If your slider didn't have enough room/ travel and bottomed out......The spring had to bend, as there was nothing else to do.
Just a Hypothesis.

Caltrac's my be a better idea. They are lighter for sure, and the power your making might be the best idea.

One other thought could be that you Crushed your spring perch. Seen this happen on a tractor pulling pickup. He used the car perches and it only made a half of a pull and stuck the pinion strait up and pull the driveshaft out.

check your perch and your u-bolts.