Answer
Shingling occurs when the turns of a multi-turn spring move radially and overlap each other during compression. This usually happens when the spring is not properly guided by a bore or shaft, or if the radial wall $b$ is too thin relative to the diameter. The overlap causes a sudden increase in height and a complete loss of the intended spring rate. To troubleshoot this, the engineer should check the diametrical clearance. If the clearance is within spec, the spring may need to be redesigned with a wider radial wall or a 'Nested' configuration which is inherently more resistant to shingling.