I tried to find this in search but could not. I've had my strat since september. It is my first experienct with a guitar that did not have a fixed bridge. I have been playing on 9's since I got the guitar. With the 9's on my tremolo was laid down comepletely flat on the body which is how I like it. I decided to put on some earnie ball heavy top skinny bottoms. This has raised my bridge up. And I do not like it. I loosend the strings a little until I could find the proper way to fix this problem because I don't want to mess up my guitar (08 sienna sunburst). I also dont want to go tinkering with screws until I know what I'm doing. What is the proper way to do this?

Since I don't totally know the answer to your question, I'll only add what I do believe to be true. To get the bridge back to roughly where it was, you may add a spring or two to the trem claw and the bridge block. You will definitely need to do a setup after this (intonation will probably be messed up), and maybe even need to adjust the claw screws a tad. If I were you, I would buy a book on maintaining your guitar. There is a good one called, The Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. Good luck.

I agree with adding a spring, or adjusting the claw screws. It won't mess up your guitar to play it like that. Sounds like the wound strings are probably heavier than your guitar is used to.
Yes Dan Erlwine's book is EXCELLENT. I recommend it, and have been referring to it for years now.

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1994 Standard Strat, Blue
2000 Standard Strat, Black, with GFS block, and GFS Lil Killer pickup.
2004 Standard Telecaster, Black
1971 Gibson SG
1985 Kramer Baretta
1986 Kramer Vangard
Carvin X60B
Marshall 50 watt 2x12 combo

It depends. Adding an additional spring will put the bridge against the body (thus, removing the "float") which it sounds like what you want. However, it will now be more difficult to actually use the trem. If this is acceptable, then there is no issue. If you would prefer to not add this spring tension to the trem, you can also accomplish the same thing by tightening the two "claw screws" inside the trem cavity. Doing so will also bring down the bridge without adding spring tension.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

... and remember that with the bridge flat, you can't wammy up, just down.

I'm sure that you know that Fender recommends a 1/8 space at the rear of the bridge plate to the face of the Strat.

Just tighten the claw screws or add more springs.

When you went to heavier strings you changed the entire setup. The neck will more than likely need adjusting, which will change the string height, bridge height, and intonation.
My personal opinion is to take it in and get a complete setup done on it.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

^^^ or sus it out and do it yourself!

Sorry for me short answer. Chet's right. I just put 10's back on my 72 Strat. I like my trem to float. My intonation changed a little and I had to tighten the claw a little to get a 1/8" float that I like on my trem and slight action adjustments to the bridge saddles. I also have a tilt neck micro adjustment and needed a slight adjustment. Your pup height may need a minor adjustment. You can do it yourself if you have an understanding of what's going on. Be careful not to force the truss rod or any other adjustments.

Alot of good advice here. I would add one thing to what Chet suggests..If you do take it in, which I would recommend since you're nervous about messing with it, ask the tech if you can watch and have him explain what he is doing! Most techs I have worked with are happy to do so. Not only will you learn alot about setups, intonation, etc., but you will also begin to increase your comfort level with your instrument. I do 90% of the work needed on my guitars, and even build one occassionaly, and it all started with asking a tech if I could watch!
And Erlewines book helps alot as well.

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I grew up in the "Dark Ages" of gear, when a '63 Strat was just an old guitar!

I use the same strings and had to do a complete set up after putting them on to bring the bridge back down to where its suppose to be. Its not a big deal to do and I like the sound of the heavier guage string. My Strat has only 3 springs and I didn`t have to add any, the springs just needed to be adjusted.