Newbie Question re: replacing front struts

[HeavyDuty]

As I was changing my front struts I happened upon this situation you guys are talking about here, I came to look for answers and found this thread.

I then had a rather long conversation with Monroe, sent them photos ect., the space is not suppose to be there they tell me. You are to remove the strut and back the first nut off enough so that when installed this all tightens together like one would think it should. The nut that holds the spring compressed has a torque value, if it's over tightened you get the gap like is in these pictures..and was on my car.