Shock revalving??

[Wheel House Motorsports]

I will admit.. im VERY ignorant about shocks and how they should work ideally.

I have some 03 rx1 ski shocks I am playing with in a rear skid application, the problem is they are VERY spongey.. if I take the spring off they can be pushed in by hand and take about 30 seconds to come back out... is this normal or what?? I feel like they should be way stiffer and pop right back out when let go of. just curious to see if they needed to be rebuild or if I needed to get a better shock.(these are 7 years old)

 

[Hardass]

The spring is what mainly pulls it back up, the valving is what slows down the compression and rebound. Gas shocks need to be rebuilt on a regular bassis if used much. there are always lots of shocks for sale for a reasonable amount, but most will need rebuilt which can cost you.