Rep Power: 424

All subsiquent n00b posts about this will be locked and deleted.

The simple answer is The install was messed up

Now, moving right along to the solution.
Our good buddy Mex supplied us with this fantastic DIY right here
Refer to step 19 which says:

"Before you disassemble the strut, you need to mark the top and bottom to insure you line them up correctly when putting them back together. If you're working on a 2002+ model, the top mount should already me marked with an L or R (for left and right) and an arrow pointing in the direction it should be facing when it goes back on the car. If the top and bottom are not put together correctly the bolts will not line up in the strut tower, so this is important. If the marks aren't there, just use white out or something."

This insures that the springs are properly indexed when you reinstall them and they seat properly into place against the rotation stop on the lower seat and the bearing lines up properly with the upper mount.
In addition, if you properly install the spring and continue to experience a popping sensation, you need to inspect the bearings especially if you mess up step 20 and the bearings blow all over your garage floor. I recommend that once removed from the strut, you open up the bearing and add some litium or graphite based lube into the bearing race then close the bearing back up. Before reinstalling, rotate the bearing with your hand to insure that it moves freely and the grease is worked around the *****. Then re-install the upper seat and bearing assembly properly indexed and bolt the assembly together with the proper torque of 45 lb-ft. I understand this is typically impossible with teh allen key, but its not an insane amount of torque. if its too tight, it binds and pops. If its too loose, it wabbles and the races don't seat, the ***** are free to bounce and it pops.