The spring can bow out as in your photo, with the car in the air. I think that cliffmac means that the springs will look more normal with the weight on the wheels, springs compressed.

As far as broken springs, you can see this. Often only the bottom coil or partial coil will break off, and you won't notice unless you look closely. That you can do with the car in the air.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff