Hi All,  Just so we're all on the same page here, I call these
"hammer butt springs" the "hammer return springs" because that's
what they do.

In answer to the question about stiffness: Yes, the new springs seem to
be stronger.  That's only because the old ones are so weak.  In answer
to the question about position; Yes, the new springs will 'stick out'
further than the old ones.  That's because they are new, and that's
where the old ones were when they were new.

As long as the new springs are mounted correctly, i.e., perpendicular
to the spring rail, no further adjustment is required* (see note).  If,
on the other hand, any of the springs point to the left or the right,
they should be bent so that they are perpendicular to the rail.  Doing
this will help prevent the spring from jumping out of its slot when the
piano is played forcefully.

*Note: This assumes that all of the springs are in basically the same
exact position all the way from one end to the other.  If the springs
aren't 'pulled in' equally as they are installed, some will hang down
lower than others, and that's not good.  While installing new springs
isn't a particularly difficult task, it does require an even-handed or
uniform 'touch'.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle