switching out rear shock

[StinkLink]

Hey, I just got a Roco to replace my Fox Vanilla RC, and I have two questions about making the switch:

1. How do you get the spring off of the old shock? I backed off the preload all the way, and it looks like i just need to pop off the other end (that metal disc) that the spring sits on. It looks like it could be forced off with the tap of a mallet. But I don't want to do anything stupid, and things tend to go wrong when "force" is involved

2. similarly: what is the best way to get the bushings out of the old shock? it looks like i could line up the right size socket head and use it as a press to tap the bushings out. is this a bad idea? what would be better?
thanks!

[keen]

Hey, I just got a Roco to replace my Fox Vanilla RC, and I have two questions about making the switch:

1. How do you get the spring off of the old shock? I backed off the preload all the way, and it looks like i just need to pop off the other end (that metal disc) that the spring sits on. It looks like it could be forced off with the tap of a mallet. But I don't want to do anything stupid, and things tend to go wrong when "force" is involved

2. similarly: what is the best way to get the bushings out of the old shock? it looks like i could line up the right size socket head and use it as a press to tap the bushings out. is this a bad idea? what would be better?
thanks!

1 - back off the preload push the spring retainer towards the spring and slide out.

2 - Aluminum fox reducers can be removed with an easy-out inserted into the eylet then twisted out.

[Raacerx]

are you using the Fox RC spring on the Roco? Are you sure that the inner diameter will work? My Vanilla RC spring doesnt fit on my Fox DHX.

[StinkLink]

Update:

well i got the old stuff off my Vanilla RC. It turns out that the reducer hardware all fits the new Roco quite nicely. But Racerx is right. the old spring doesn't switch over, it is too narrow. I never realized how narrow the shaft/body of the old Vanilla RC is! I ordered up a new spring today.

Also, a few factoids about the Roco for those who may be interested: A friend called Marzocchi for me today (to order a spring), and came across these tidbits:

1: the best (most precise) way to fill the shock with oil is to pull it apart, and rebuild it while it is entirely submerged in oil. (2.5 weight) Cycle it a few times during the rebuild to work out all of the air bubbles, and you will be garunteed to have abosultely no air in your oil. This sounds like an insane chore to me. I have not taken apart/ rebuilt my shock at all (only had it a few days so far) let alone done so in oil. But according to the folks at Marzocchi, this is the pro way to do things.

2. also, according to marzocchi, the only shock that has had major trouble with factory oil levels is the 9.0x3.0 size, due to some oil seal issues. What do others have to say about this one? I am still waiting for my spring, so i can't comment yet...