thanks for your thoughts. i have suspected that the false floor would be better on the lower side of the cross member since about 5 mins after we put it in although it has made a marked improvement where it is.what i,m getting at with the spring length is that the spring is tightly compresed to achieve reasonable chain tension and there doesn't appear to be much room for rearward movement of the drum before it blocks down solid. when set at 14.5" b_w anchor and bolt head the chain is what i would call slack and lying on the elevator floor for most of its length with the stops in lowest position. thanks bucko