Both Sides on my car are identical and look like the first "correct" photo above. The coil should 'close down' as the load is applied during lowering of the pod. In the second photo, the coil would open up.
I note in second photo the bend retaining the spring on the vac pod is only bent about 45 deg. It's a 90 deg bend on both mine and in the first photo. Might not be too difficult therefore to tease the spring out and slot it in from the other end.
It's not necessary to worry about removing the star washers on the rod and turning it round. It's symmetrical. Worst case, it might be necessary to slid the washers along the rod a little. If needed, I'd find a small socket (around 10 or 11mm) that slides over the rod and supports the inner face of the star washer, then support in a vice and tap the rod down as needed.
Tony