I think I understand what you mean by this, and the springs are contracting as they pull the pads [B]toward[/B the rim. In fact, they pull the pads all the way to the rim. I tried putting these brakes on the rear, and they did the exact same thing on the rear.
The springs should be pushing the pads
away from the rim. The cables pull the pads toward the rim.
Orientate and swap the springs among the cantis.